Student leaders from Turning Point USA at Olivet Nazarene University in Illinois were forced off campus this week after receiving credible death threats, sparking concern about political intimidation and campus safety. The president and vice president of the local chapter were advised to complete the semester remotely while police investigate the threatening messages directed at them.
Turning Point USA chapter president Jacob York received an anonymous Instagram message graphically threatening his life. The seriousness of the language prompted university officials to take precautions for York’s safety. Vice president Mara Hudson also faced threats and was similarly advised to stay off campus as authorities pursue the source of the messages.
Olivet Nazarene University confirmed that the Bourbonnais Police Department is actively investigating the online threats. A university statement reiterated that violent threats have no place in academic life and pledged cooperation with law enforcement to identify whoever is responsible. Officials emphasized that the specific threats were directed at individual students and that there is no evidence of a broader threat to the campus community.
University leadership communicated directly with concerned parents, underscoring their commitment to student safety. Olivet Nazarene’s Department of Public Safety is working alongside local police to evaluate security and support the affected students. The seriousness of the response reflects the gravity of targeted threats and the duty of institutions to protect all students, regardless of ideology.
The incident highlights a troubling environment for conservative student activists on some college campuses. Turning Point USA chapters across the country have faced hostility, including administrative obstacles and harassment. At Olivet Nazarene, the local group has not yet achieved formal recognition as a registered student organization, which supporters say has limited its ability to engage more broadly on campus.
