This outcome has always seemed consistent with the direction of the Black Lives Matter-inspired movement to defund the police.
The argument was never simply about changing budgets or improving accountability. In practice, the pressure placed on police departments risked driving experienced, responsible officers out of the profession while creating space for officers who are more willing to enforce political or ideological standards.
A recent video from Fort Worth, Texas, raised exactly that concern.
Our attorney CJ Grisham does a radio interview discussing what happened in Fort Worth during Pride @CJGRISHAM @SarahisCensored @Carlos__Turcios @SarahisCensored @coulterculture pic.twitter.com/RxCCp2DYjl
— Rich Penkoski (@WFCPreacher) July 7, 2026
The video, posted Wednesday on X, appears to show a female Fort Worth police officer threatening to cite Christian preachers David Grisham and Rich Penkoski for what she described as “offensive speech” during the Trinity Pride festival on June 27.
“If someone is offended by your talking, then we have a problem,” the officer said.
Grisham immediately objected, calling the warning a violation of their constitutional rights. The officer then suggested that the men could receive a citation.
🚨 DID THE FORT WORTH POLICE SET THEM UP? 🚨
By now, everyone’s heard the shocking claims: Fort Worth Police telling citizens that if you offend someone with your words or speech, you’ll be cited.
Well, it actually happened. One of our guys was officially cited by FWPD for… pic.twitter.com/xP7rREy7w0
— Rich Penkoski (@WFCPreacher) July 3, 2026
“Wait, you’re gonna ticket us for offensive speech?” the person recording the interaction asked.
“Yeah. Absolutely,” the officer replied, arguing that offensive speech could qualify as disorderly conduct.
Grisham challenged that interpretation, pointing out that disorderly conduct generally requires more than speech alone. The officer responded by saying that their behavior while speaking constituted the conduct in question.
This was David Grisham and I. We are filing a lawsuit against the city of Fort Worth for violating our rights
Stay tuned https://t.co/7GEfrLv27C
— Rich Penkoski (@WFCPreacher) July 8, 2026
During the exchange, Grisham identified himself as a retired federal law enforcement officer. The officer dismissed that point by saying the situation involved a local matter rather than a federal one.
That response missed the larger issue. Constitutional protections do not disappear simply because an encounter involves local police. The First Amendment applies to state and local governments, and public officials cannot punish people merely because others find their speech offensive.
The conservative X account Libs of TikTok later shared the video, where it received millions of views. Penkoski subsequently confirmed that he and Grisham were the men involved and said they planned to file a lawsuit against the city of Fort Worth.
“This was David Grisham and I,” he wrote. “We are filing a lawsuit against the city of Fort Worth for violating our rights.”
Female Texas Cop THREATENS to ticket a retired officer and Christian street preacher for “offensive speech”
Cop: “If someone is offended by your talking, then we have a problem…”
Man: “You’re going to ticket us for ‘offensive’ speech?”
Cop: “Yes, I am”
This cop is blatantly… pic.twitter.com/qX0UjnRBSL
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 8, 2026
Penkoski later posted a longer video showing additional interactions with Fort Worth police officers and other people at the event. In that footage, Grisham could be seen using a bullhorn to communicate his message.
An attorney representing Grisham also issued a statement defending his actions.
“Mr. Grisham was exercising his right to express his views on matters of significant public concern,” GFA Law, PLLC said in a July 2 statement reported by the Dallas Express. The firm argued that the Fort Worth Police Department failed to protect Grisham’s rights and instead threatened him with arrest before issuing a citation.
The central issue is not whether people agree with the preachers’ message. It is not even whether their speech was irritating, confrontational or offensive.
The First Amendment exists precisely to protect speech that others dislike. Popular speech rarely needs constitutional protection.
Police officers have the authority to enforce laws against genuine threats, violence, obstruction and unlawful conduct. They do not have the authority to silence someone simply because a listener feels offended.
Any officer assigned to manage a public demonstration should understand that distinction. When law enforcement officials confuse offensive speech with illegal conduct, they risk violating the rights they are sworn to protect.
