UI Student Accused of Trying to Assault Lawmaker at DEI Hearing

Incident occurred as student was escorted out of higher education subcommittee meeting over contentious DEI bill

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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A University of Iowa doctoral candidate was escorted out of a higher education subcommittee meeting on Monday after a heated exchange over a bill that would prohibit diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and critical race theory content in public university courses. As the student, Abigail Escatel, was being led out of the room, she appeared to take a swipe at Rep. Steve Holt, R-Denison, who had interrupted her and called for the police to remove her after she continued speaking past her allotted time.

Why it matters

The incident highlights the growing tensions over DEI initiatives in higher education, with some Republican lawmakers seeking to limit or ban such programs. The confrontation raises questions about free speech, academic freedom, and the ability to have civil discourse on contentious political issues.

The details

Escatel, a UI graduate student, was the third speaker to address House Study Bill 542, which would prohibit DEI and critical race theory content in public university general education and core curriculum courses. Escatel criticized the bill, accusing lawmakers of "white male fragility" and "willful ignorance" about the country's "complex racial history." When Rep. Holt interrupted her to say her time was up, Escatel continued speaking, leading Holt to call in Capitol police to escort her out. As she was being led from the room, Escatel appeared to take a swipe at Holt's table.

  • The incident occurred on Monday, February 10, 2026 during a 4:30 p.m. House Higher Education subcommittee meeting.

The players

Abigail Escatel

A University of Iowa doctoral candidate who was escorted out of the subcommittee meeting after a confrontation over the DEI bill.

Rep. Steve Holt

A Republican state representative from Denison, Iowa who interrupted Escatel and called for her to be removed from the meeting.

Rep. Skyler Wheeler

A Republican state representative from Hull, Iowa who criticized Escatel's behavior, saying "Name calling, attacking, trying to assault a legislator is not constructive."

Rep. Ross Wilburn

A Democratic state representative from Ames, Iowa who addressed both the DEI bill and the incident with Escatel.

Jillian Carlson

A representative from the Iowa Board of Regents, who said the board is "undecided" on the DEI bill.

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What they’re saying

“I'm here today to address the white male fragility that sits in this room that feels so threatened by the idea that there are Black and Brown intellectuals that know more about the United States and this world and its legacies of colonialism, and the very grotesque ways that you invoke a willful ignorance.”

— Abigail Escatel, University of Iowa graduate student (thegazette.com)

“Diversity, equity, inclusion programs I think in reality are the opposite of what their name implies. For those who actually want to be colorblind and are tired of being shamed, critical race theory concepts taken together with DEI turn, I think, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on his head — teaching our young people to judge not based on character, but instead on skin color and immutable characteristics that have nothing to do with character.”

— Rep. Steve Holt (thegazette.com)

What’s next

The DEI bill will now move to the full House Higher Education Committee for further consideration.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the deep partisan divide over diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in higher education, with Republicans seeking to limit or ban such programs while Democrats and some university leaders argue they are essential for addressing systemic inequities. The confrontation highlights the challenges of maintaining civil discourse on these contentious political issues.