Oklahoma State Superintendent of Schools Ryan Walters announced plans on Tuesday to establish chapters of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s right-wing organization, Turning Point USA, in every high school in his state, threatening to revoke school credentials if they don’t comply.
“Radical leftist teachers’ unions have dominated classrooms for far too long, and we are taking them back,” Walters wrote on X, announcing a partnership with the conservative activist group.
Walters’ announcement comes after Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, took over the organization following his fatal shooting at Utah Valley University. It’s unclear if the widowed Kirk will continue to echo her husband’s thinking against immigrants, Muslims and the LGBTQ+ community or will move the organization further to the right.
“We have seen the outpouring from parents, teachers, and students that want to be engaged in a meaningful work going on at Turning Point,” Walters said. “They want their young people to be engaged in a process that understands free speech, open engagement, dialog about American greatness, a dialog around American values.” In an interview with local Fox affiliate KOKH-TV, he warns there will be repercussions for schools that refuse to have a Turning Point USA chapter.