President Donald Trump wasted no time delivering on his promise to crack down on anti-Semitic extremism, signing an executive order directing federal agencies to begin the process of deporting foreign nationals involved in anti-Semitic protests and criminal activities. The order, part of a broader initiative to combat rising hostility toward Jewish communities, specifically targets resident aliens and student visa holders who broke U.S. law while engaging in pro-Hamas demonstrations following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks. Federal agencies now have 60 days to provide recommendations for enforcement, while the Justice Department has been tasked with investigating intimidation tactics and hateful vandalism on college campuses.
Republicans in Congress have been calling for more decisive federal action against the surge of anti-Semitism, pointing to the Biden administration’s failure to protect Jewish students from harassment. A recent report from six GOP-led committees highlighted how federally funded universities, including Columbia University, turned a blind eye to open anti-Jewish hostility. Columbia, which raked in a staggering $2.7 billion in taxpayer funding in 2023, became a hotspot for anti-Israel demonstrations, including an encampment that descended into violent rhetoric and nationwide protests.
These demonstrations at Columbia spiraled out of control, culminating in activists storming and occupying a campus building while calling for an “intifada” against Jewish people. To make matters worse, leaked communications from university administrators exposed their dismissive attitude toward Jewish students’ concerns. Even as recently as this week, a Columbia student group marked Holocaust Remembrance Day by drawing outrageous comparisons between Israel and Nazi Germany—an insult that only underscores the need for Trump’s crackdown.
The executive order follows Trump’s campaign pledge to deport foreign nationals who advocate for terrorist organizations while enjoying the privileges of a U.S. education. The order specifically mandates that the government ensure no admitted alien or visa holder supports designated foreign terrorist groups. In a separate but equally consequential move, Trump also signed another executive order that cuts off federal funding to K-12 schools that push critical race theory and radical gender ideology. His newly appointed education secretary, Linda McMahon, now has 90 days to present a plan to rid schools of divisive left-wing indoctrination.
This latest directive reaffirms Trump’s focus on restoring a pro-American curriculum, reinstating the 1776 Commission, which he originally launched during his first term to promote an accurate and patriotic understanding of U.S. history. The overarching goal is clear: schools should be cultivating responsible citizens prepared for the workforce—not radical activists parroting ideological talking points. With these executive actions, Trump is making it clear that both universities and public schools will be held accountable for the extremist agendas they’ve allowed to fester under previous leadership.
