Jewish Senators Accuse Trump of Weaponizing Antisemitism Against Universities

Washington, D.C. — Five Jewish Democratic senators released a strong letter condemning President Donald Trump‘s administration for what they call an “assault on universities” under the guise of combating antisemitism. Senators Chuck Schumer, Jacky Rosen, Richard Blumenthal, Adam Schiff, and Brian Schatz expressed deep concern over the administration’s actions that they believe may harm educational institutions.

In their letter, the senators raised alarms about a $2 billion freeze in federal funding for Harvard University, questioning whether the funding cuts truly aim to address antisemitism or merely suppress dissent from those opposed to Trump’s policies. They criticized the use of a “real crisis as a pretext to attack people and institutions who do not agree with you,” urging Trump to reflect on the implications of his administration’s strategies.

Hadar Susskind, president and CEO of New Jewish Narrative, welcomed the senators’ appeal, stating, “President Trump is exploiting very real concerns about antisemitism as a foil for his attacks on universities.” This sentiment echoes an open letter from over 800 Jewish scholars and students criticizing the administration’s tactics towards Columbia University and others as ineffective in protecting Jewish people.

Additionally, the letter mentioned the visa revocations and deportation threats facing over 1,100 international students since late March, many of whom have never been charged with crimes. One such case involved a Tufts University doctoral candidate who was handcuffed by federal agents on a Massachusetts street. The situation highlights the growing immigration crackdown affecting students at 174 universities.

Furthermore, twelve national Jewish organizations condemned the detention of students like Mahmoud Khalil, questioning the administration’s use of antisemitism as a rationale for suppressing political dissent. Khalil, along with another student, is currently fighting deportation following their arrests.

In response to the controversies, the Trump administration maintains that students have engaged in activities that support Hamas, though evidence has yet to be provided for these claims. A March statement from the State Department reiterated their commitment to visa compliance among international students and their willingness to revoke status as necessary.

Susskind cautioned that American Jews should remain skeptical of the administration’s rhetoric. He noted, “We’ve watched Trump cozy up to antisemites for years,” emphasizing the importance of the senators’ inquiry. They requested answers from the administration by April 30, including details about the targeting of specific institutions.

Legal challenges to the visa revocations have yielded mixed results, with some federal judges issuing temporary restraining orders while denying similar requests in other cases. Susskind described the Senate’s letter as a crucial step in addressing Trump’s actions, stating, “We need to see more such efforts, otherwise the costs – in terms of free speech and the safety of Jews – will only mushroom.”