UCLA Federalist Society Event Disrupted by Protesters During DHS Counsel James Percival Speech

The UCLA Federalist Society invited James Percival, General Counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to speak on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. The event was met with a massive protest that severely disrupted the proceedings.

Students repeatedly interrupted the speech with booing, heckling, and nonstop phone ringtone interruptions, all intended to derail the event. Coverage of the incident was provided by Fox News and the UCLA Daily Bruin.

Credits and Criticisms

Credit is due to Professor Jon Michaels for introducing Percival. Michaels, a noted critic of the Trump Administration, has consistently defended free speech and open discourse.

Professor Greg McNeal of Pepperdine University also earned recognition for posing challenging questions to Percival during the event.

No credit was given to the UCLA Administration, which failed to remove disruptive students despite prior warnings. This inaction drew sharp criticism from observers.

Disturbing Protest Tactics

The protest escalated into abhorrent behavior, as documented by attendee Yitzy Frankel on social media. His account highlighted:

• Repeated disruptions with profanity and shouting
• Incessant phone ringtone interruptions
• A coordinated walkout to an unauthorized rally

The protest reached a new low with signs displaying vulgar and antisemitic messages. One sign read, "Hows Trump's C**ck Taste?" (asterisks in the original), while another targeted Matthew Weinberg, president of the UCLA Federalist Society chapter, with an antisemitic slur.

Weinberg, who is Jewish, has faced antisemitism during the campus "encampment" movement and is currently involved in litigation against the UCLA chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Antisemitism and Historical Distortions

Another protester accused Weinberg of inviting a Nazi to campus, stating, "Weinberg - why'd you invite Nazis? Jew to Jew, Shame on You". Such rhetoric was compounded by a flyer comparing Percival to Wilhelm Frick, a Nazi Minister of the Interior.

This incident reflects a troubling trend on the modern left, where political opponents are routinely labeled as Nazis. Such hyperbolic comparisons trivialize the horrors of the Nazi regime and contribute to the erosion of civil discourse.

Concerns for UCLA’s Future

Observers expressed deep concern over the direction of UCLA, citing the departure of key free speech advocates like Eugene Volokh and the impending retirement of Steve Bainbridge. While some liberal professors, such as Jon Michaels, remain, their influence is waning.

The event underscored the growing intolerance for opposing viewpoints on campus, raising questions about the institution’s future viability.