US Attorney General Calls Pro-Palestine Protesters 'Domestic Terrorists'
US Attorney General Pam Bondi has labeled pro-Palestinian student protesters as “domestic terrorists,” warning that universities risk losing federal funding if they do not adequately address anti-Semitism on their campuses. In an interview...
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US Attorney General Pam Bondi has labeled pro-Palestinian student protesters as “domestic terrorists,” warning that universities risk losing federal funding if they do not adequately address anti-Semitism on their campuses.
In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Bondi discussed recent demonstrations at Columbia University, urging educational institutions to take more decisive measures to safeguard Jewish students.
“It’s absurd that these universities are not stepping in to protect them, yet they’re shielding these protesters who are also, I believe, some domestic terrorists,” she stated. Bondi further claimed that demonstrators were “inciting riots and...violence against students on college campuses,” although she did not provide specific instances to support her assertion.
“We’re going to pull it from every university if you do not comply with the law,” Bondi cautioned, referencing the Trump administration's previous move to withdraw $400 million in funding from Columbia for failing to address anti-Semitic harassment effectively.
In February, the US Justice Department created a multi-agency task force aimed at combating anti-Semitism, with a primary focus on targeting harassment within schools and universities. Officials indicated that the group would work to coordinate federal enforcement and “root out” anti-Semitic behavior on campuses across the country.
Protests surged last year at various campuses throughout the United States, with students calling for an end to U.S. support for Israel amid the conflict in Gaza. These demonstrations followed the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 250 hostages. In retaliation, Israeli forces initiated a large-scale offensive that, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, has resulted in over 50,000 deaths and considerable devastation to the Palestinian enclave. Columbia has emerged as a significant hub for this protest movement, alongside schools like UC Berkeley, Harvard, Yale, Michigan, and Northwestern.
Protesters, including some Jewish students, contend that criticizing Israeli policies does not amount to anti-Semitism. They argue that supporting Palestinian rights aligns with essential American values. However, others on campus maintain that the protests have fostered a hostile atmosphere. A task force at Columbia University later identified “serious and pervasive” issues impacting Jewish students.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
In an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Bondi discussed recent demonstrations at Columbia University, urging educational institutions to take more decisive measures to safeguard Jewish students.
“It’s absurd that these universities are not stepping in to protect them, yet they’re shielding these protesters who are also, I believe, some domestic terrorists,” she stated. Bondi further claimed that demonstrators were “inciting riots and...violence against students on college campuses,” although she did not provide specific instances to support her assertion.
“We’re going to pull it from every university if you do not comply with the law,” Bondi cautioned, referencing the Trump administration's previous move to withdraw $400 million in funding from Columbia for failing to address anti-Semitic harassment effectively.
In February, the US Justice Department created a multi-agency task force aimed at combating anti-Semitism, with a primary focus on targeting harassment within schools and universities. Officials indicated that the group would work to coordinate federal enforcement and “root out” anti-Semitic behavior on campuses across the country.
Protests surged last year at various campuses throughout the United States, with students calling for an end to U.S. support for Israel amid the conflict in Gaza. These demonstrations followed the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and 250 hostages. In retaliation, Israeli forces initiated a large-scale offensive that, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, has resulted in over 50,000 deaths and considerable devastation to the Palestinian enclave. Columbia has emerged as a significant hub for this protest movement, alongside schools like UC Berkeley, Harvard, Yale, Michigan, and Northwestern.
Protesters, including some Jewish students, contend that criticizing Israeli policies does not amount to anti-Semitism. They argue that supporting Palestinian rights aligns with essential American values. However, others on campus maintain that the protests have fostered a hostile atmosphere. A task force at Columbia University later identified “serious and pervasive” issues impacting Jewish students.
Sanya Singh for TROIB News
