Five Jewish Democratic senators — including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer — have publicly accused former President Donald Trump of weaponizing concerns about antisemitism to
launch political attacks on American universities.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to Trump, the senators criticized what they described as a “broad and extra-legal” campaign by the Trump administration targeting higher education institutions. The administration has threatened major funding cuts, arrested pro-Palestinian student protesters, and revoked student visas — actions that, according to the senators, go well beyond protecting Jewish students.
“We are extremely troubled and disturbed by your broad and extra-legal attacks against universities and higher education institutions,” the letter states. “These actions appear to use a real crisis — rising antisemitism — as a pretext to punish people and institutions that do not align with your political views.”
Joining Schumer in signing the letter were Sens. Jacky Rosen (Nevada), Richard Blumenthal (Connecticut), Adam Schiff (California), and Brian Schatz (Hawaii).
The lawmakers are the latest to join a growing chorus of Jewish leaders and organizations who oppose Trump’s crackdown on campuses, warning that it won’t actually enhance the safety of Jewish students. In fact, a recent poll shows that more than half of American Jews disapprove of how Trump is handling antisemitism.
Much of the senators’ criticism centers on the administration’s actions against Harvard University, which is currently facing a $2.2 billion federal funding freeze and threats to its tax-exempt status. Harvard President Alan Garber has said the university will not comply with policy demands tied to the reinstatement of that funding.
“These attacks go far beyond constructive and necessary efforts to support Jewish students on campus during an unprecedented period of domestic antisemitism,” the senators wrote. “They appear to be aimed at undermining or even destroying these vital institutions, all under the guise of combating antisemitism.”
The letter also questions the administration’s revocation of more than 1,200 student visas — many from international students involved in pro-Palestinian activism — and the detainment of student protesters. Additionally, the senators demanded answers about recent budget cuts to the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, which investigates cases of antisemitism in schools.
The lawmakers have requested a formal response from the administration by April 30. Photo by Mobilus In Mobili, Wikimedia commons.