Illinois State University teaching assistant fired, arrested after flipping TPUSA table, mocking Jesus

Michie · Wednesday at 3:11 PM

A teaching assistant at Illinois State University was arrested last week and relieved of his duties after flipping the table of a Turning Point USA student chapter on campus.

Graduate student Derek Lopez, 27, likened his actions to those of Jesus in a viral video of the Oct. 17 incident posted to the X account of Frontlines TPUSA, the organization's journalism arm.

“Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I got to do it, right?" Lopez said before trying to pull the tablecloth, upending the pins and ultimately flipping the table on its side.

"Thanks guys, have a great day," Lopez says in the clip, which also showed him ripping down flyers advertising an appearance by comedian and Blaze Media host Alex Stein.

Continued below.

Illinois State University teaching assistant fired, arrested after flipping TPUSA table, mocking Jesus

A teaching assistant at Illinois State University was arrested last week and relieved of his duties after flipping the table of a Turning Point USA student chapter on campus

www.christianpost.com

FireDragon76 · 2025-10-23T02:23:01-0500

The teaching assistant wasn't mocking Jesus, he was imitating Jesus.

Some basic spiritual literacy on the part of the Christian post seems lacking.

Michie · 2025-10-23T09:26:10-0500

A teaching assistant was arrested Friday at Illinois State University after police say he disrupted two tabling events hosted by a registered student organization.

Several Illinois lawmakers took to social media in response, criticizing the teaching assistant's actions. Here's what they said.

ISU teaching assistant arrested for disorderly conduct

Police arrested 27-year-old Derek Lopez, of El Paso, Illinois, on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property on Oct. 17, according to a Facebook post by the ISU Police Department.

Continued below.

'Disgraceful.' Illinois representatives respond to arrest of ISU teaching assistant

A teaching assistant at Illinois State University was arrested Friday after allegedly disrupting a student group. See how state representatives responded.

www.pjstar.com

Michie · 2025-10-23T09:31:16-0500

Not a first. He’s done it before.

An Illinois State University graduate student is facing the consequences of his viral meltdown. Derek Lopez was caught on camera flipping a Turning Point USA table, shouting “Jesus did it!” before storming off. Now, the campus outrage has cost him his teaching assistant job and earned him criminal charges. Was it protest, or pure rage? WATCH how a moment of fury turned into a career-ending lesson in instant karma.

3:04

Michie · 2025-10-23T09:35:05-0500

The Illinois State University Police added that Lopez was also involved in a second reported incident where he disrupted a separate informational table hosted by a student group.

University officials and the campus police force reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the community’s First Amendment rights in the wake of Lopez’s scandal.

“We encourage all members of our community to learn more about free speech rights and responsibilities at Illinois State University, including constructive ways to respond when encountering speech they may disagree with,” University Police Department Chief Aaron Woodruff said in a statement.

Illinois State University graduate student who flipped TPUSA table is fired from teaching assistant position

“Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?” Lopez said before he attempted to rip the TPUSA tablecloth, only to topple the table on its side.

nypost.com

RileyG · 2025-10-23T14:52:46-0500

FireDragon76 said:
The teaching assistant wasn't mocking Jesus, he was imitating Jesus.

Some basic spiritual literacy on the part of the Christian post seems lacking.

I guess it depends on someone’s interpretation? And yes. I know it comes from John chapter 2.

Michie · 2025-10-23T15:33:12-0500

RileyG said:
I guess it depends on someone’s interpretation? And yes. I know it comes from John chapter 2.

He was not imitating Jesus. Jesus overturned tables for a completely different reason and this was not Lopez’s first. He was just being intolerant and threw a tantrum. Again. There is a difference between imitating/following the Lord and using Jesus as an excuse for bad behavior.

FireDragon76 · 2025-10-24T01:30:42-0500

Michie said:
He was not imitating Jesus. Jesus overturned tables for a completely different reason and this was not Lopez’s first. He was just being intolerant and threw a tantrum. Again. There is a difference between imitating/following the Lord and using Jesus as an excuse for bad behavior.

That's not the same as mocking. Mocking implies malicious intentions towards Jesus. Unless you are trying to conflate TPUSA and the cause of Christ?

Michie · 2025-10-24T03:57:36-0500

FireDragon76 said:
That's not the same as mocking. Mocking implies malicious intentions towards Jesus. Unless you are trying to conflate TPUSA and the cause of Christ?

RileyG · 2025-10-24T11:43:13-0500

Michie said:
He was not imitating Jesus. Jesus overturned tables for a completely different reason and this was not Lopez’s first. He was just being intolerant and threw a tantrum. Again. There is a difference between imitating/following the Lord and using Jesus as an excuse for bad behavior.

Agreed.

RileyG · 2025-10-24T11:43:47-0500

FireDragon76 said:
That's not the same as mocking. Mocking implies malicious intentions towards Jesus. Unless you are trying to conflate TPUSA and the cause of Christ?

I don't know. I guess it depends on one's own perception? Also, the intent of the person involved? I'm probably overthinking it.

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