DOJ Launches Investigation After Antifa Mob Attacks TPUSA Event at UC Berkeley [WATCH]

The Department of Justice announced it has opened an investigation into the University of California, Berkeley following violent protests linked to Antifa activists outside a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event held on campus earlier this week.

Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon confirmed the investigation Tuesday in a post on X, sharing a letter addressed to UC Berkeley Police Chief Yogananda Pittman.

The letter instructed the university’s police department to preserve all materials related to its “preparation, execution, and response” to the November 10 TPUSA event, where protesters clashed with attendees and police.

“The @CivilRights Division, under @AGPamBondi’s leadership, has asked UC Berkeley Police to preserve all records regarding their response to the mob violence at UC Berkeley’s TPUSA event,” Dhillon wrote. “Every American has the right to speak at and attend events without fear.”

The letter outlined the Department’s concerns that the university may have failed to provide adequate security for the event, referencing a 2018 settlement between UC Berkeley and conservative organizations over similar issues of free speech and public safety.

“The U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division has recently become aware of concerning incidents occurring on your campus at the University of California (UC), Berkeley on or about November 10, 2026,” the letter stated.

“These events may implicate the University of California’s commitment to provide adequate security pursuant to a 2018 settlement agreement in Young America’s Foundation, et al. v. Napolitano et al., U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 17-02255. Our office previously opened investigations of the University of California System for potential violations of Title VI and Title VII based on other events. We will determine whether the events of November 10 should also be included in those investigations.”

The @CivilRights Division, under @AGPamBondi’s leadership, has asked UC Berkeley Police to preserve all records regarding their response to the mob violence at UC Berkeley’s TPUSA event.

Every American has the right to speak at and attend events without fear. pic.twitter.com/gxwPG2xrBu

— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) November 11, 2025

This Could Be the Most Important Video Gun Owners Watch All Year

The Justice Department also indicated that it is evaluating whether the recent incidents could warrant additional investigations for possible violations of constitutional rights, including the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

The letter directed UC Berkeley officials to retain a broad range of records, including written and electronic communications concerning the TPUSA event, any pre-event planning or coordination involving outside groups, and communications from the UC Berkeley Police Department over the past year related to TPUSA or campus demonstrations.

The order followed the circulation of videos on social media showing masked Antifa protesters outside the event lighting flares and shouting profanities, including “F**k you, fascists.”

UC Berkeley currently looks like a war zone.

An ANTIFA member just lit off a flare resulting in TPUSA event attendees being rushed inside.

A car then comes and starts backfiring visibly scaring multiple attendees who feared they were hearing gunshots. @TPUSA | @Savsays pic.twitter.com/u3mG8rJDSx

— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) November 11, 2025

Multiple witnesses reported property damage and attempts by demonstrators to block attendees from entering the venue.

UC BERKELEY- A woman holds her two daughters as she tries to rush them through the screaming crowd of masked ANTIFA members that are screaming at every attendee who leaves tonight’s event.

ANTIFA protesters blocked every entrance and then began running to swarm attendees after… pic.twitter.com/nP81TPaKsr

— FRONTLINES TPUSA (@FrontlinesTPUSA) November 11, 2025

Attorney General Pam Bondi released a statement Tuesday condemning the violence and confirming that federal authorities have assigned the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force to investigate.

“Antifa is an existential threat to our nation,” Bondi said.

“The violent riots at UC Berkeley last night are under full investigation by the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force. We will continue to spare no expense unmasking all who commit and orchestrate acts of political violence.”

Antifa is an existential threat to our nation.

The violent riots at UC Berkeley last night are under full investigation by the FBI-led Joint Terrorism Task Force. We will continue to spare no expense unmasking all who commit and orchestrate acts of political violence.

Under…

— Attorney General Pamela Bondi (@AGPamBondi) November 11, 2025

Bondi’s statement marked one of the strongest federal responses to campus unrest in recent years, signaling renewed scrutiny of how public universities handle politically charged demonstrations.

The DOJ investigation will focus not only on the actions of violent demonstrators but also on whether UC Berkeley complied with its legal obligations to protect attendees and uphold constitutional free speech rights.

UC Berkeley officials have not yet issued a public statement in response to the DOJ’s preservation order.

The investigation follows years of tension between the university and conservative groups over campus speech policies and protest management, with prior incidents prompting litigation and federal oversight.

The DOJ said it will continue gathering evidence and reviewing whether the November 10 events at UC Berkeley fit into ongoing investigations concerning possible civil rights violations within the University of California system.