Man in glasses converses with police officer in uniform on a sunny street with power lines and trees in the background.

Man in glasses converses with police officer in uniform on a sunny street with power lines and trees in the background.
A Fort Worth police officer telling retired police officer and Christian street preacher that he could receive a citation if someone was “offended” by his speech during a Pride event (Screenshot: Sarah Fields/X)

The Trump Department of Justice just put Fort Worth Police on notice.

In a formal letter, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet K. Dhillon demanded answers from the City of Fort Worth after video evidence showed FWPD officers threatening Christian street preachers with citations simply because their speech might “offend” someone at a Pride festival.

As The Gateway Pundit previously reported, on June 27, 2026, at Trinity Pride Fest in downtown Fort Worth, Christian street preachers David Grisham (a retired law enforcement officer and veteran) and Richard Penkoski were preaching on public sidewalks when officers moved them, restricted their access, and a female officer explicitly told them they could be ticketed for “offensive speech.”

“If someone is offended by your talking, then we have a problem,” the officer said. “If they are offended by your speech, OK, I will write you a ticket.” When challenged, she confirmed it would be disorderly conduct. Grisham was ultimately cited for “unreasonable noise.”

The preachers repeatedly argued that offensive speech is protected by the First Amendment and cannot be criminalized merely because someone claims to be offended.

Fort Worth PD later admitted the officer’s statements were “not accurate,” ordered First Amendment refresher training for officers, and confirmed that public sidewalks remain open for speech.

Now, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has formally asked the City of Fort Worth to provide information regarding First Amendment compliance concerns involving the Fort Worth Police Department (FWPD).

Dhillon’s letter to Fort Worth City Attorney Leann D. Guzman is crystal clear:

“Publicly posted video recordings reportedly show FWPD officers instructing individuals to cease their speech or move the location of their speech based on the content of the speakers’ expression. If true, FWPD may be engaging in practices that restrict constitutionally protected speech based upon viewpoint. That would raise significant concerns under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and federal civil rights law.”

The Civil Rights Division is determining whether to open a full pattern-or-practice investigation under 34 U.S.C. § 12601.

Dhillon reminded the city of the Supreme Court’s clear holdings: Government actors may not engage in viewpoint discrimination or restrict peaceful expressive conduct simply because the speech may be unpopular, offensive, or controversial. She cited Rosenberger v. Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia and Reed v. Town of Gilbert.

The letter also notes that these incidents occurred in traditional public forums—sidewalks and streets—where First Amendment protections are at their strongest. And it points out that Fort Worth already entered a Consent Decree in Grisham v. City of Fort Worth back in 2015, agreeing not to interfere with constitutionally protected expression by Grisham or other public speakers on public sidewalks and streets. The recent conduct “may be inconsistent with the commitments reflected in that Decree.”

Dhillon is demanding, within 30 days:

  • FWPD’s current First Amendment policies on street preaching, public demonstrations, and expressive activity
  • All training materials related to First Amendment enforcement
  • Administrative records of any citizen complaints since 2015 alleging interference with protected speech
  • All records of enforcement proceedings under the Grisham Consent Decree
  • Any other information the city wants to provide showing it will protect lawful speech

In a post on X, Dhillon stated the principle plainly:

“Government actors cannot discriminate against viewpoints or restrict peaceful free speech just because it may be offensive to some. Under this administration, the @CivilRights Division will defend free speech, as protected by the Constitution.”

The post Trump DOJ’s Harmeet Dhillon SLAMS Fort Worth PD – Threatens Full Investigation Over Viewpoint Discrimination Against Christian Street Preachers at Pride Event appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.