Abbott Pledges To Expand TPUSA 'Club America' To Every Texas High School, Warns Districts Of State Action

Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced a campaign to expand Turning Point USA’s high school program, known as Club America, into every Texas high school and warned that districts that block chapters could face intervention from the Texas Education Agency.

What Abbott And Patrick Said

Speaking alongside Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Abbott framed the growth of Club America as part of a broader effort to provide students with guidance on faith, national identity and civic purpose. Abbott urged parents and community members to report any school that refuses to allow a Club America chapter to the Texas Education Agency.

"Any school that stands in the way of a Club America program in their school should be reported immediately to the Texas Education Agency," Abbott said. "I expect meaningful disciplinary action to be taken for any stoppage of TPUSA in the great state of Texas."

Patrick emphasized the cultural and religious dimensions of the push, saying the movement offers students a sense of belonging and shared values. He described Club America as filling a void he believes was left by declining participation in traditional civic and faith-based student groups.

How Club America Operates

Club America chapters typically set up informational tables on campus, organize one or more visiting speakers per semester and promote Turning Point USA programming to high school students. Supporters cast the expansion as a revival of conservative and faith-oriented student engagement.

National Context

The governor’s announcement comes as similar efforts have gained momentum in other states. The article notes that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis previously announced a partnership to facilitate TPUSA chapters in Florida schools, and that TPUSA chapters have seen rapid membership growth on some college campuses.

Controversy And Legal Questions

Critics argue that mandating or enforcing the presence of partisan student groups in public schools raises questions about school autonomy, First Amendment rights and the appropriate role of elected officials in local education decisions. Supporters counter that students should be free to form campus organizations representing a range of viewpoints.

Abbott and Patrick portrayed the expansion as a generational mission to restore values they say are important to student development, while also signaling readiness to use state-level oversight to ensure chapters can form.