Trump investigates universities for anti-Jewish hate


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The Trump administration has initiated antisemitism investigations at five major universities, demonstrating its commitment to addressing growing concerns about anti-Jewish discrimination on college campuses.

The Department of Education will spearhead these investigations, focusing on Columbia, Northwestern, Portland State, the University of California Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.

Craig Trainor, the department’s acting assistant secretary for civil rights, expressed strong concerns about university responses to antisemitism. “Too many universities have tolerated widespread antisemitic harassment and the illegal encampments that paralyzed campus life last year, driving Jewish life and religious expression underground,” he stated.

The investigations build upon findings from the House Education and the Workforce Committee, whose October 31 report revealed that university administrators had largely failed to protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian demonstrations. While House Republicans have actively pursued this issue, Senate Democrats have been criticized for downplaying these concerns.

In a parallel development, the administration has appointed civil rights advocate Leo Terrell to lead a broader investigation into antisemitism across America. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Terrell will serve as senior counsel in the Justice Department’s civil rights division, overseeing task forces that include representatives from multiple federal agencies.

Upon his appointment, Terrell remarked, “Anti-Semitism in any environment is repugnant to this Nation’s ideals. The Department takes seriously our responsibility to eradicate this hatred wherever it is found. The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is the first step in giving life to President Trump’s renewed commitment to ending anti-Semitism in our schools.”

This initiative marks a distinct contrast from the approach under the Biden administration, during which the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division maintained minimal involvement in addressing campus antisemitism concerns.