Latest news with #FederalTaskForcetoCombatAntisemitism
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump antisemitism task force chief: Columbia settlement ‘not even close'
Leo Terrell, chief of the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, says Columbia University is 'not even close' to meeting the Trump administration's demands for reforms in order to return some $400 million in canceled federal funds. 'There is no agreement. They're not even close … to having those funds unfrozen,' Terrell told hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby on 'Cats & Cosby.' The comments come after a report by The Wall Street Journal that said Columbia was close to reaching a deal with the federal government over the administration's demands for the university to change some of its policies, including changes to its disciplinary policies and putting certain departments under academic receivership, before discussions could be had about restoring the funds. Republicans have accused several top schools, including Columbia, of failing to protect students from antisemitism during last year's protests over the Israel-Hamas war. The Trump administration has also targeted the immigration status of multiple participants in Columbia's demonstrations. 'There was a rumor out there that there's a settlement approaching to restore Columbia's $200 million that we froze. Let me be very clear … that's not true … Columbia University is not an example of a university that is free from antisemitism,' Terrell said. 'I'm going on a campus tour to 10 universities. Columbia is one of them. And we're going to tell them that … if you want, federal funding … you have to allow Jewish-American students to go to school without being harassed or tormented,' he added. The deadline for Columbia to accept the terms of the Trump administration was Thursday, but no updates have been given on the status of negotiations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
21-03-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Trump antisemitism task force chief: Columbia settlement ‘not even close'
Leo Terrell, chief of the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, says Columbia University is 'not even close' to meeting the Trump administration's demands for reforms in order to return some $400 million in canceled federal funds. 'There is no agreement. They're not even close … to having those funds unfrozen,' Terrell told hosts John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby on 'Cats & Cosby.' The comments come after a report by The Wall Street Journal that said Columbia was close to reaching a deal with the federal government over the administration's demands for the university to change some of its policies, including changes to its disciplinary policies and putting certain departments under academic receivership, before discussions could be had about restoring the funds. Republicans have accused several top schools, including Columbia, of failing to protect students from antisemitism during last year's protests over the Israel-Hamas war. The Trump administration has also targeted the immigration status of multiple participants in Columbia's demonstrations. 'There was a rumor out there that there's a settlement approaching to restore Columbia's $200 million that we froze. Let me be very clear … that's not true … Columbia University is not an example of a university that is free from antisemitism,' Terrell said. 'I'm going on a campus tour to 10 universities. Columbia is one of them. And we're going to tell them that … if you want, federal funding … you have to allow Jewish-American students to go to school without being harassed or tormented,' he added. The deadline for Columbia to accept the terms of the Trump administration was on Thursday, but no updates have been given on the status of negotiations.
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Head of Trump's antisemitic task force shares antisemitic tweet about ‘Jew cards'
The head of Donald Trump's task force on antisemitism has shared a white nationalist's quip about the president revoking 'Jew cards.' The startling share comes even as Trump threatens to deport or arrest university students protesting on behalf of war-torn Gaza, implying such actions are antisemitic. Former Fox News contributor Leo Terrell, who now heads the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, shared the post by white nationalist Patrick Casey earlier this week chortling that Trump can 'revoke someone's Jew card.' The Anti-Defamation League has identified Casey as the head of the now defunct 'alt right white supremacist group' American Identity Movement. He was referring to Trump on Wednesday mocking Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as a 'Palestinian' instead of a Jew, which he is, because he supports human rights in Gaza. 'You're going to have some very bad things happen and people are going to blame the Democrats. And Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I'm concerned,' Trump said derisively in an attack widely criticized as both racist and antisemitic. 'You know, he's become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He's not Jewish anymore. He's a Palestinian,' Trump added. Terrell could not immediately be reached for comment. Critics on social media slammed both the post and Terrell's championing of it as antisemitic.
The Independent
15-03-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Head of Trump's antisemitic task force shares antisemitic tweet about ‘Jew cards'
The head of Donald Trump's task force on antisemitism has shared a white nationalist's quip about the president revoking 'Jew cards.' The startling share comes even as Trump threatens to deport or arrest university students protesting on behalf of war-torn Gaza, implying such actions are antisemitic. Former Fox News contributor Leo Terrell, who now heads the Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, shared the post by white nationalist Patrick Casey earlier this week chortling that Trump can 'revoke someone's Jew card.' The Anti-Defamation League has identified Casey as the head of the now defunct 'alt right white supremacist group' American Identity Movement. He was referring to Trump on Wednesday mocking Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer as a 'Palestinian' instead of a Jew, which he is, because he supports human rights in Gaza. 'You're going to have some very bad things happen and people are going to blame the Democrats. And Schumer is a Palestinian as far as I'm concerned,' Trump said derisively in an attack widely criticized as both racist and antisemitic. 'You know, he's become a Palestinian. He used to be Jewish. He's not Jewish anymore. He's a Palestinian,' Trump added. Terrell could not immediately be reached for comment. Critics on social media slammed both the post and Terrell's championing of it as antisemitic. Oh, so Trump has divine authority now? He's out here revoking religious identities like they're expired driver's licenses? This is straight-up unhinged. Jewish identity isn't a subscription service that Trump gets to cancel when someone disagrees with him. And calling a Jewish… — 🌊 R Saddler (@Politics_PR) March 12, 2025 — VictoriaDCharlotte #FBPE (@victoriadonnac1) March 13, 2025 How christian nationalist of you @donal — Sniggles (@Snuggs69) March 13, 2025
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Federal effort to combat antisemitism at colleges coming to Los Angeles
The U.S. Department of Justice notified leaders in Los Angeles and other cities across the country about efforts to combat antisemitic behavior on college campuses. Created under President Trump's executive order, the newly appointed Federal Task Force to Combat Antisemitism notified mayors, district attorneys and law enforcement in four major cities that it wants to meet soon. Task Force Leader and Senior Counsel, Leo Terrell, informed city leaders in New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles that officials are reviewing claims that schools failed to protect Jewish students from discrimination – potentially violating federal law. 'Antisemitism, harassment, vandalism and violence have no place… anywhere in our city,' said a statement released by Mayor Karen Bass' office. 'The mayor will continue to coordinate closely with local and state law enforcement, area universities and community leaders to keep campuses safe and peaceful.' Terrell said the Task Force will meet with city leaders 'to quickly and effectively identify ways that, working together or apart, we return safety, civility, and sanity to our nation's schools.' 'I'm a Jewish student myself at UCLA, this is my first year and I couldn't be happier for where I ended up at school,' Benjamin Katz told KTLA's Gene Kang. 'I'm really relieved that this initiative is being put in place.' UCLA's chancellor Dr. Julio Frenk told Bruins that their task force to combat antisemitism and anti-Israel bias includes enhanced training and education while improving the complaint system and assuring enforcement of current and new laws and policies. 'Unfortunately we're seeing actions claiming to protect students and to stop violence, but it doesn't seem to expand to students who are Palestinians, Arab or Muslim,' said Amr Shabaik, L.A. Legal Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). In a statement, Chancellor Frenk said, in part: 'With honest reflection, it is clear that while we have made progress in addressing antisemitism, we have more to do in our shared goal of eradicating it in its entirety.' In addition, USC released a statement, saying: 'The university has publicly and unequivocally denounced antisemitism in all its forms, and has taken strong actions to protect all of our students – including members of our Jewish community – from illegal discrimination of any kind.' Federal officials did not immediately specify when those task force meetings will happen with Mayor Bass, but they said they want to move quickly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
