Earlier this year, I introduced a bill in the legislature to designate one of our state’s busiest freeways, Loop 202, as the Charlie Kirk Loop 202, in honor of the life, work, and legacy of an Arizonan whose voice, energy, and commitment to civic engagement resonated across this state and throughout the nation. Charlie stood unapologetically for free speech, open debate, and civic participation. For future generations to understand and celebrate those ideals, this bill must become law.
Charlie Kirk devoted his life to public discourse and political participation. He traveled the country—and even the world—engaging Americans, especially young people, in robust discussion on the issues that shape our future. Even as opinions diverged, he believed Americans could—and must—engage one another civilly and respectfully, anchored in the principles of free speech and civic responsibility. This belief has been under serious assault, with a growing number of Americans looking to silence their opponents and disagreeable viewpoints, rather than looking for common bonds that should unite us. Charlie rejected this dangerous mindset, and he relentlessly searched for avenues and platforms to reverse this dangerous trend.
On September 10, 2025, Charlie was speaking at an event in Utah when he was fatally and tragically shot—assassinated for exercising free speech in the heart of a college campus, which he had done hundreds of times during his shortened life. His death was an act of political violence and terror that shocked our nation and renewed discussions on the importance of preserving civil discourse. Millions across the country mourned his passing and sought to understand more about his thinking and prolific writings about countless issues of moral, societal, and political importance.
Charlie understood better than most the beauty and necessity of the First Amendment—even acknowledging that he might have to pay the ultimate price for his willingness to engage the masses. He believed disagreement should be met with dialogue, not division. He believed vigorous debate strengthens our republic rather than weakens it, and that Americans can still find common ground even when deep divisions exist. His dedication to these ideals inspired millions and encouraged countless individuals to participate actively in civic life. Few public figures reached young Americans the way Charlie did, and his influence was only growing as he worked tirelessly to re-elect President Donald J. Trump to the White House in 2024.
Arizona was not only Charlie’s home. It was where he built an organizational empire with international reach as a teenager, where he raised a family, and developed a national following among young Americans. Charlie’s tremendous impact on America was evident as two large stadiums of people showed up to pay their respects at his memorial. In fact, Charlie posthumously received the honor of the largest memorial service our state had ever seen in its history. Never has an Arizona citizen received so much respect and adoration from its citizens. And all of the bestowed honors were richly and rightly earned by a man who had done so much to restore our nation to the spirit of our Founding Fathers when they fought to give us a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Designating Loop 202—the roadway that carries hundreds of thousands of drivers each day—as the Charlie Kirk Loop 202 ensures that his contribution to civic engagement, free speech, and the public square will not be forgotten. This highway winds through the Valley of the Sun, which encompasses the fifth-largest city in the United States, serving not only Arizonans but visitors from across the nation and abroad. It would be a great tragedy if this legislation failed because of partisan obstinance. Instead, let us unite across party affiliations to resolve that this name will stand as a daily reminder of the principles he lived for and the importance of peaceful civic participation. It’s only right that the state Charlie called his home gives back to a patriot who sacrificed his life to promote and defend our God-given right to free speech.
As we approach the Thanksgiving holiday, there’s a lot we have to be thankful for as Americans – family, provisions, jobs, faith, and so much more.
This year, I’m thankful for the freedoms we enjoy in this country. All Americans should be the most grateful people in the world because we live in the freest nation in the history of humanity.
There are so many freedoms we have as Americans. Today, these inspired notations enshrined in the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution are easily taken for granted. One historian said about the first ten amendments to the Constitution, “The Bill of Rights is the United States. The United States is the Bill of Rights. Compromise the Bill of Rights and you dissolve the very foundation upon which the Union stands… Nowhere in the Bill of Rights are the words ‘unless inconvenient’ to be found.”
Truer words have rarely been spoken. As Patrick Henry exclaimed, “Show me that age and country where the rights and liberties of the people were placed on the sole chance of their rulers being good men, without a consequent loss of liberty?” Henry’s question hits home to students of history. We have seen all too often throughout the annals of world—and even American—history, that rulers are not to be trusted without absolute power—no matter how trustworthy or ‘good’ they might be deemed by their citizens. Our founders were extremely wise to amend the Constitution to protect against abuse by future governments.
And what are these rights?
The first is that “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Many regard this amendment as the most important, and it packs several different—yet similar—rights together. As we observed during the COVID-19 era just a handful of years ago, tyrannical government officials attempted to dictate, in the name of health safety, what churches and people of faith could or could not do in the expression of their religion(s). Thanks to this amendment, though, these out-of-control local governments were ultimately stopped. However, other people of faith in countries around the world did not enjoy the same fate, as their governments were not harnessed by anything in their charters to prevent such violations.
The other two provisions of this amendment are just as important, starting with the freedom of the press. Despite how some complain about the biases of the press (much like sports fans gripe about calls of officials), any journalist in America can work without fear of retribution from the government. There are other countries around the world where such employees do not have this luxury, essentially acting as agents of the state. The amendment concludes with protections for citizens to peaceably assemble and petition their governments. Most Americans probably can’t comprehend the antithesis of this stipulation. The fact that anyone can wake up on any given day to gather with others for any lawful purpose, or to contact their government official to criticize some action being taken, is absolutely unheard of in much of the world. And yet these rights are our American birthrights. This reality gives us much to be thankful for as Americans.
The second amendment is that “a well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
This amendment is also critical to our nation’s future and has received significant backing in recent years from the Supreme Court of the United States. The Second Amendment gives people necessary protections to defend their personal liberties and functions as a check against a future government that could threaten to overwhelm the freedoms of law-abiding citizens. George Mason said in 1788, “To disarm the people…[i]s the most effectual way to enslave them.” James Madison added, “A well regulated militia, composed of the body of the people, trained to arms, is the best and most effective defense of a free country.”
Each year, we hear of how governments in other parts of the world—especially in, but not limited to, underdeveloped countries—exploiting, harming, or killing people simply because they can. These terrors, in large part, are due to the population being devoid of personal protections to deter against government aggression. However, the benefits of an armed populace extend beyond protections against a tyrannical government to defense of private property or personal rights. Government officials can’t be everywhere, and armed citizens are necessary to stop those who are intent on depriving innocent people of their God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Without good people carrying weapons—and using them in lawful ways—dangerous criminals would rule the streets, causing chaos and fear in our communities. So, the Second Amendment gives us much to be thankful for as Americans.
There are many other freedoms in the Bill of Rights and subsequent amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Those freedoms include a prohibition of unreasonable searches and seizures, protection of due process, guarantee of public trials, equal protection, privacy, voting, and more. These amendments have been tried and tested for generations, ensuring that American freedoms are passed down from our fathers to our children.
So, this Thanksgiving season, I’m thankful I have the opportunity of living in the United States of America to enjoy these God-given freedoms. They are ours to enjoy as long as we remain true to the Constitution. Happy Thanksgiving—and may God bless America!
Warren Petersen is the President of the Arizona State Senate and represents Legislative District 14.
Recently, the District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board of Professional Responsibility recommended the most drastic punishment—disbarment—for former U.S. Assistant Attorney General Jeff Clark over his private strategic counsel in the aftermath of the 2020 election. This complaint was pushed by liberal activists, showing the lengths they will go to punish individuals by going after their livelihoods despite the clear lack of criminal, unlawful, or unethical behavior.
Even past Attorneys General – William Barr, Jeff Sessions, and Michael Mukasey – filed an amicus brief to push back against this “dangerous precedent,” writing, “Disciplining Mr. Clark would open the door to charging federal lawyers with ‘dishonesty’ or ‘attempted dishonesty’ for statements made during oral arguments, theories in briefs, legal advice provided in memoranda, or even (as here) proposals in privileged internal draft documents and discussions. Such acts of political retribution would severely discourage lawyers from serving in the federal government and invite extraordinary dysfunction as federal lawyers constrain the advice they provide for fear of political retaliation by the Bar.”
Over the past decade, radical politicians and interest groups have weaponized the key to attorneys’ livelihoods over partisan disputes, as in Clark’s matter before the DC Appeals Board. These parties seek to bring their vengeance on conservative attorneys’ bar licenses, which allow them to do their jobs and provide for themselves and their families. The obvious intent of these attacks—which echo other attacks from the left such as debanking conservatives, voting against company directors, and threatening doctors’ licenses—is to terrorize and chill any conservative voices.
Attorneys are one of the most important groups to protect from these attacks because their entire job is to open the courthouse doors for their clients; if they are chilled by the left from representing certain groups, those groups will lose their constitutional rights to access the courts and have their causes zealously argued or even to receive legal advice in the first place. Simply put, if our nation is to exist in a society where attorneys feel free to perform the services their clients expect and deserve, we must enhance the protections for their licenses – especially from outside agitators who have no business engaging in this interference.
Perhaps no greater example can be found of this abuse of our judicial system than after the 2020 election in Arizona, when two respected attorneys found themselves facing legal complaints for their work to represent the Arizona Republican Party, as political officials across the country worked to hash out challenges to the hotly contested General Election. The most insidious part of the claims against these men wasn’t simply about the filings, but that a New Jersey Congressman, U.S. Representative Bill Pascrell, led the official accusations.
Most people, regardless of their understanding of our legal system, can apply good-old-fashioned common sense to conclude that lawsuits must be waged between two sides with a substantial nexus to the alleged misconduct. Yet, Pascrell had no connection to the case. He filed a complaint against the Arizona-based attorneys, which was ultimately dismissed. However, the damage was done to these attorneys’ reputations because of their fight to beat the frivolous charges from an unconnected, unhinged, partisan Democrat thousands of miles away.
Whether you agree or disagree with the efforts to extend litigation in the courts in the aftermath of the 2020 election, it is uncontestable that the left and their allies grossly abused their powers to assault, undermine, and intimidate attorneys who were attempting to do their jobs within a legal system enshrined by the American Constitution and laws. These tactics were experienced across the country, as President Trump and Republican-affiliated attorneys – like Jeff Clark – found themselves not only defending their clients but their livelihoods against increasingly personal and vicious attacks – from parties that, again, had no direct interest or tie to the case.
This reality was also seen more recently in the State of Montana, where dozens of charges were leveled against the Attorney General, the honorable and respected Austin Knudsen. The allegations were, in part, brought against Montana’s Attorney General for exercising his First Amendment right to criticize justices on the state’s Supreme Court as he worked to execute his constitutionally appropriated responsibilities to the people and legislature. Again, what was most egregious about this case was that one of the earliest steps was an ethical complaint being lodgedby a California-based attorney – hundreds of miles away from the action. Because of this complaint, Attorney General Knudsen is now fighting a serious suspension that could complicate his abilities to represent Montanans.
These cases, and plenty more, are why I have been working on legislation in Arizona to protect well-meaning, law-abiding, and ethical attorneys from fear of reprisal from outside radical left agitators. If eventually passed and signed into law, the bill would mandate [is it now law now? – no] that the State Bar of Arizona and the Supreme Court immediately dismiss all complaints against attorneys, where the complainant does not have an attorney-client relationship with the attorney or another substantial nexus to the attorney’s alleged violation or conduct, and where it is clear that the complaint is simply a difference of political opinion. In addition, I collaborated with the Arizona Supreme Court to change its rule that had allowed this persecution to take place. This reform is necessary for many good conservatives who deserve to work their profession without fear of political persecution. I’m grateful that the court made the right decision to strike the balance of protecting the public from bad attorneys while defending good attorneys from frivolous complaints.
If the events of the past decade, as our nation becomes more politically polarized, have taught us anything, it is that we must guard the legal profession to ensure that bad actors are not permitted to chase away good attorneys who are committed to doing their jobs. Not everyone will agree with the cases those attorneys assume — and that’s okay. Our nation’s judicial system, which allows parties to peacefully work out their disagreements, is part of what makes our nation the envy of the entire world. We should resolve to defend this proud institution from nefarious agitators who must not be allowed to interfere with or manipulate our hallowed judicial system.
Warren Petersen is the President of the Arizona State Senate and represents Legislative District 14.
American Christians are not in danger of being martyred for their faith. Our interpretations of Scripture boil down to an elementary, seeker-friendly doctrine primarily preached through the lens of revival and prosperity.
We make our weekly trek to sit on comfy pews and listen to reaffirming messages about God’s love and plan for our lives. Ministries are thriving on “prophetic words,” multi-level marketing, and wealth amassed from the hardworking congregants guilt-tripped into exchanging 10% of their (gross) income for blessings. The lights are low, the music is loud, and emotions are high. These moments are more manufactured than the average churchgoer realizes. Soon, this will all conclude with an alleged secret “rapture” snatching believers off the earth before “things get really bad.”
With all due respect, Jesus Christ did not die for this powerless and ineffective “American Gospel.”
Words will never be enough to express the contribution that Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, made to present and future generations. He loved God, his wife, and family, and served our country well. CK also knew the risks of speaking truth and light into a world full of lies and darkness, yet he fearlessly stayed the course to the end. On one hand, he was brutally murdered and assassinated for holding conservative political opinions while exercising his First Amendment right to the fullest extent. On the other hand, CK was martyred for boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ.
CK was a confrontational and polarizing figure—and that’s a good thing. Confrontation is absolutely necessary when lost souls are hanging in the balance of eternity. Polarization is a predictable human response when someone dares to say the quiet parts out loud. Whether we agree or disagree with his takes on controversial issues, CK was a brilliant mind, a forerunner who had the tenacity to go where most believers will never go. He gave his life on the frontlines of the culture war, pushing back against the diabolical, leftist dogma that’s destroying America’s youth.
Those who don’t believe CK was martyred for his religious beliefs should go back and listen to his debates. His understanding of both Testaments directly informed his political views. CK would say marriage is between one man and one woman. That’s not political, it’s biblical. God created male and female; that’s biblical. Abortion is murder; that’s biblical. Open borders, land theft, and excessive taxation are evil; that’s biblical. Jesus said the Truth—His Truth, not your truth or my truth—is what sets us free.
The Truth is worth dying for…when you sincerely believe.
My opinion is controversial and polarizing, yet I will say the quiet parts out loud: Record numbers of people going to church after a national tragedy is a good thing, but I wouldn’t call it a “revival.” This hackneyed term is used to describe literally every private and public religious event, activity, and gathering in the Western hemisphere. To me, the word is almost meaningless because it means everything. Twenty-four years ago, we witnessed a similar resurgence and response to tragedy on 9/11. After some time passed, society drifted back into a worse moral decline, and the church fell back into a routine coma.
Revival—if it is true revival—is not a respecter of denominations, and it should lead to reformation and transformation on a mass scale. Our repentance must be deep and sincere, and our obedience to God’s word should be in proportion to the number of people who claim to be Christians. Furthermore, church attendance is meant to be the start of a thing, not the end. Believers must come outside the buildings, exercise moral authority, bring light into dark places, and assert influence on every level of society—especially in government.
Indeed, politics, in its simplest form, is nothing more than morality legislated and applied to a society. We elect representatives to adopt laws, policies, and regulations that uphold the nation’s moral fabric. Since very few Spirit-filled Christians are willing to serve their country in this capacity, our nation has been overrun by evildoers. Again, going to church is good, but on its own, it changes nothing. It costs almost nothing—maybe one hour…two or three, if you’re Pentecostal—to attend church. It’s time for Christians to prove their faith outside the four walls. Faith without works is dead faith (James 2:26).
The fallout from this current wave of “revival” should, in my opinion, result in:
Prayer and Bible reading returning to public schools
Ten Commandments displayed on all government properties
More Bible-believing Christians occupying key government and community leadership roles
Lower divorce rates (within and outside the church)
Lower crime, drug, and homelessness rates
Lower child abuse and trafficking statistics
Higher marriage, birth, and adoption rates
Full-gospel messages preached in every service (without asking attendees for money)
Increased cases of martyrdom
I won’t stop pushing back against darkness until I see a “revival” that leads to reformation in all of our institutions and the transformation of the hardest hearts in our society. I have determined that I would rather offend people to heaven than tolerate them to hell. I refuse to settle for anything less than sustained repentance, humility, and strength in the body of Christ. I implore Christians to go beyond a commitment to church attendance. Pray more. Read the Bible more. Fast more. Do the work of an evangelist. Husbands, love your wives and lead your families. Wives, respect your husbands. Single people, remain pure until marriage. Everyone, start considering others before yourselves.
What began in the Upper Room among the Eastern people will not die on the watch of Western people who sit in comfortable buildings. Thus, I’m calling on every church leader to abandon their plans to buy more real estate. Stop hoarding God’s people in corporate structures. Stop harboring offense, preaching revenge sermons, and worrying about who leaves and takes tithing members with them. This, too, is vanity and grasping at the wind. The Great Commission did not begin and will not end with your ministry. If you want to lead like Jesus, then start equipping your people and sending them out with your sincere blessing—and provide them with financial assistance.
Lastly, pastors, you must set the record straight on what it means to be blessed and chosen by God. I challenge every sermon maker to abandon traditional preaching on revival and prosperity and start teaching from passages such as these:
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven (Matt. 5:11-12).
If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and God rests upon you…Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name (1 Pet. 4:14-15).
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first…you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you also (John 15:18-20).
Everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12).
I’ll reiterate that CK wasn’t assassinated for his political preferences. He died because of his bold, unashamed, and sincerely held beliefs in Jesus Christ. He has joined the hall of faith with men like John the Baptist, who was imprisoned and beheaded for confronting a government leader’s sexual immorality! The Apostles Peter and John were imprisoned and flogged just for preaching the gospel! Paul, too, was imprisoned, beaten, stoned, and left for dead just for preaching Christ! And, lest we forget, Jesus was crucified for, among many things, daring to confront wicked leaders—even in the synagogues!
Do you discern the examples and patterns Christians should follow?
If you’re not willing to lay down your life (die to your flesh and let God interrupt your plans) for Jesus Christ, check yourself to know whether you truly believe in Him. And I admonish every Bible-believing minister to start preaching a gospel message that’s worth dying for.
Please continue to pray for the new CEO and Board President, Mrs. Erika Kirk, her family, and all of the good people still on mission at Turning Point USA.
The steady decline of academic success and moral integrity is an undeniable reality in many Arizona school districts. K-12 libraries are plagued with sexually graphic novels. Science textbooks tout evolutionary theory and climate change nonsense. ELA assignments contain race-baiting themes and false social justice narratives. LGBTQ+ clubs are in full force, while private spaces still pose a safety risk to female students.
Do Christian/conservative teachers have any responsibility to restore order in our public schools? Aren’t they on the frontlines of steering young minds and upholding ethical standards in the classroom? Why don’t we see more exposure of subpar curricula and corrupt policies that fail to protect educators’ constitutional rights at work?
Will this school year be any different, or will Arizona teachers maintain the status quo?
Jessica Tapia’s Story
California educator and parental rights advocate Jessica Tapia
Jessica Tapia is an alumna and former employee of Jurupa Unified School District (JUSD). She graduated from Jurupa Valley High School, secured a full-time position in the district, and eventually landed her dream job as a high school P.E. teacher.
Tapia loved her career and her students, but she loved God foremost. And her faith would soon be tested.
Six years into her career, some JUSD students decided to research Tapia and discovered Christian/conservative posts on her social media page. The juveniles reported their findings to district officials, who conducted an internal investigation. Tapia was placed on administrative leave and admonished to hide her online profile. As a condition of employment, she would also have to agree to use students’ preferred names and pronouns, even without parental consent.
If Tapia complied with JUSD’s policies—including allowing boys to access girls’ locker rooms—she would keep her compensation package and enjoy acceptance among her peers. Otherwise, she faced serious and permanent consequences. Thankfully, Tapia not only believed in the unchanging truth that God created male and female, she was also willing to defend her faith and freedom of speech on school grounds.
Tapia was fired from her dream job, and the woke mob demanded her head on a platter. In a moment of truth, Tapia lost nearly everything she worked hard to achieve, and her reputation was now tarnished. JUSD reprimanded her for unprofessional conduct and accused her of publishing “racist, offensive, and disrespectful” content. No doubt, the most painful experiences came in the form of separating from her students and watching colleagues turn their backs.
This would be a sad story if it ended here.
Tapia knew her rights and filed a lawsuit against JUSD. Turns out, firing a teacher who refused to lie to students and families is not only morally reprehensible, but it’s also illegal. After a long battle with many ups and downs, stretching and testing her faith, Tapia finally won! JUSD settled with Tapia for $285,000 and another $75,000 for her attorney fees. She’s now one of America’s leading advocates for teachers and parental rights in education.
When JUSD violated Tapia’s First Amendment rights, she pushed back. When dangerous transgender policies contradicted her faith—and put female students at risk—Tapia refused to comply. When following orders suddenly meant hiding vital information from parents, she said no. Tapia didn’t cower in fear, take a bribe, or ignore the situation altogether. Instead, she chose to do the hard thing. The right thing.
What’s Your Story?
School board members are elected officials who swear an oath to uphold the United States Constitution. Protecting teachers is their responsibility when it comes to drafting and voting on district policies. Administrators should not manipulate or control this process. Furthermore, school districts don’t have the legal right or moral authority to give ultimatums or blackmail employees into submission. It’s time teachers say, “Enough is enough.”
Transgender ideology is a dangerous lie and a mental illness that shouldn’t be imposed on anyone. Still, K-12 educators often conceal their Christian beliefs to avoid backlash and discrimination. These are the “don’t rock the boat” types. It’s also possible that some teachers are simply unaware or unbothered by high-profile issues on campus. These are the “ostrich” types. For the sake of moral clarity, consider the following real-life scenarios that also degrade our public education system.
We currently have teachers who, for whatever reason, purposely pass unprepared students on to the next grade level. Rebellious teachers hide inappropriate books in their classrooms and read filth to children behind parents’ backs. An increasing number are perpetrating or ignoring signs of sexual, physical, mental, and emotional abuse. Public schools are overflowing with activists disguised as teachers whose sole mission is to advance union agendas.
I say, enough is enough.
Of course, there are a host of problems that educators shouldn’t be blamed for, including:
overspending, mismanagement, and corruption at the district level.
excessive classroom sizes.
laxed or nonexistent disciplinary policies.
the expectation of training fellow teachers without compensation.
submitting to self-important, intimidating administrators (many of whom don’t even like children).
These hardships don’t go unnoticed by parents, community members, and board members who share educators’ concerns. Nevertheless, Tapia’s story is a prototype, a demonstration of boldness that highlights every teacher’s responsibility to always respond with moral integrity and conviction.
It’s simple: Set and keep professional boundaries. Respect students and safeguard their innocence. Be straightforward with parents and never lie to save face. Refuse to be intimidated or comply with unconstitutional policies. Don’t quit in the heat of the battle. Know your rights. If you experience legitimate discrimination on school grounds, consult legal counsel and file a complaint.
Teachers shouldn’t be discouraged when criticisms are ignored and questions go unanswered. Those with the most power are typically the least compelled to solve problems that don’t immediately affect them. Oftentimes, negative publicity is the only way to disrupt the status quo. To be sure, nothing will change if good teachers keep playing nice, remaining silent, or walking away. There’s no outrunning the madness in government schools—you must find the backbone to confront the madness head-on.
Tapia’s testimony aligns with a theme we see throughout the Bible: God rewards obedience and courage; He hates rebellion and cowardice. Tapia’s story is a provocation for teachers to blow the whistle and stand on truth regardless of the consequences. Even if you’re not particularly religious, your First Amendment rights don’t end where bad district policies begin.
This school year can be different than years past. It just takes one good teacher to find their voice and lead the way.
