Conservative group undeterred after Iowa student’s table-flipping spree

The leader of a conservative group on the University of Iowa campus says his group stands firm after a left-wing student allegedly went on a destruction spree.

“To be honest, we’re not too surprised that this happened,” Brody Baker, president of the University of Iowa’s Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) chapter, told Fox News Digital in an interview. “We’re kind of used to it at this point.”

Baker was referring to the recent alleged actions of Justin Calhoon, an Iowa student who was arrested within a week for flipping a YAF table and a Turning Point USA table on campus. Both incidents were recorded on video.

According to jail records, on Oct. 27, Calhoon, who was wearing a dress resulting from YAF table desecration, was arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, fifth-degree criminal mischief and third-degree harassment.

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“Upon arrival, Defendant disrupted the meeting by flipping groups [sic] In the criminal complaint regarding this incident, it is stated that he made obscene gestures and shouted profanities, including ‘s— my d—‘, while tumbling over to the group. The complaint also states that some of YAF’s property was damaged.

On November 5, Calhoon was arrested again on disorderly conduct charges, just hours after he allegedly flipped over a Turning Point USA table on campus and blew up promotional materials after the group offered him hot chocolate. Jail records show he was arrested on two counts of disorderly conduct, fifth-degree criminal mischief and two counts of third-degree harassment.

Justin Calhoon turns the Turning Point USA table at the University of Iowa on November 5, 2025. (X/@Front LinesTPUSA)

“All the officers who talk to us in the city know about this incident and they always treat us with very respect whenever something happens to us,” Baker said. “And when we talk to them, we say, ‘you know, it’s just another day in the neighborhood, someone’s trying to mess with us.'”

“But at the University of Iowa and under college campuses, in other departments, we’ve gotten used to this kind of thing, and we’re not going to back down,” Baker said later.

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While Baker shows that aggressive behavior from the political left is a common occurrence on campus, in 2023 YAF’s “What is a Woman?” He pointed to an event where he hosted conservative commentator Matt Walsh, who was promoting his movie.

“We have a lot of protesters outside of our events. We’ve had Matt Walsh here on campus in the past,” he said.

University of Iowa Young Americans for Freedom President Brody Baker speaks with Fox News Digital on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. (Peter D’Abrosca/Fox News Digital)

“People were throwing marbles at the stairs, so we couldn’t enter the event. People outside were protesting, throwing batteries, throwing some rocks from the parking structures at people who were just there to listen,” he said, noting that many apolitical people also attended YAF’s events just to hear different points of view.

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marble throwing incident garnered national attention.

Despite the attacks, Baker and YAF have no plans to back down, and he even expressed gratitude to the University of Iowa administration, which he said is sympathetic to the group’s concerns and treats YAF like any other campus organization.

“Defending your rights, defending your freedom builds your character,” he said. “I think overall for us it’s really passionate, it shows our patriotism and it shows your commitment to your country and your group on campus.”

School mascot Herky the Hawk stands in front of the Old Capitol Museum at the University of Iowa on May 22, 2016 in Iowa City, Iowa. (REUTERS/Koh Gui Qing)

“I stand side by side with everyone in my club and we will defend them at all costs against people who try to physically attack us, physically abuse us, mentally abuse us,” he continued. “We’re standing there side by side. I want people to hear us.”

“I don’t care if you hate me or not. And I think the biggest thing is, if you hate me on campus, I’m doing my job well.”

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In a statement to Fox News Digital, the University of Iowa reinforced its commitment to free speech and noted that the school hosts First Amendment training every year.

The university also said it takes campus security seriously.

“Campus Safety welcomes advance discussions with event organizers to help promote a safe environment,” the school said. “The primary goal of Campus Safety during demonstrations is to protect freedom of expression while ensuring the safety of both demonstrators and the community.”