A conservative youth organization is rapidly expanding its presence in U.S. public high schools — this time with support from Republican officials — raising new legal and ethical questions about the role of politics in education. Turning Point USA, founded by the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has built a network of thousands of student chapters nationwide. In several states like Indiana and Arkansas, GOP leaders including the states’ governors have encouraged schools to host the group, framing it as a way to promote civic engagement and free speech among students.

But critics say the effort blurs the line between student expression and state-backed political advocacy. Civil liberties groups and educators argue that promoting a politically aligned organization within taxpayer-funded schools could raise First Amendment concerns, particularly if other viewpoints are not given equal access or institutional support. The expansion has already prompted protests, pushback from teachers unions and, in some cases, legal scrutiny over whether schools are improperly favoring one ideology.

The issue is gaining national attention as Donald Trump praised Kirk and the organization during remarks at TPUSA event this week, underscoring its growing influence within Republican politics. Though instead of speaking to thousands of young people to motivate them into getting involved, the crowd featured mostly older people. This matches recent polling that Trump’s disapproval rating for voters under 30 is 70%.

This was just a few days after Vice President JD Vance spoke at another TPUSA event to a half-full arena, a sign that the peak of TPUSA’s influence and presence might be declining. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course.

While supporters argue that Turning Point chapters simply provide a platform for conservative students who feel underrepresented, opponents warn the group’s close ties to partisan activism risk transforming public schools into ideological battlegrounds. As the network continues to grow, the debate over Turning Point USA is becoming a proxy for a broader national fight over free speech, political access and the boundaries of education in a deeply polarized era. Read more about this topic MAGA infighting and divisions surface at TPUSA conference “We’ve seen this with the Federalist Society”: Turning Point’s effort to “infiltrate state capitols” Arizona city proposes memorial to “national treasure” Charlie Kirk