President Donald Trump’s latest legal move is to drive a big wedge among Democrats.
Federal immigration authorities arrested activists and legal US resident Mahmoud Khalil on Saturday night, claiming that recent Columbia University graduates should be deported for their engagement.Parent Hama Activities. “In their response to the arrest, the Senate and House Democrats are ironically suddenly worried about free speech. But some Democrats have made more lukewarm statements compared to their colleagues, trying to step into thin lines to avoid angering Israeli sympathetic components than the wings of Gaza and stubborn pro-Palestinian activists. (Subscribe to Mr. Right, a weekly newsletter on modern masculinity)
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said he dislikes Halil’s views, but President Donald Trump’s administration must prove he committed a crime. Otherwise, their move to deport activists would be “wrong” and a violation of the First Amendment.
I dislike many of the opinions and policies that Mahmoud Khalil holds and supports, and I am known for my criticism of anti-Semitic behavior in Colombia. Mr. Halil is again a legal permanent resident here, and his eight-month pregnant wife is an American citizen.
– Chuck Schumer (@senschumer) March 11, 2025
“I dislike many of the opinions and policies that Mahmoud Khalil holds and supports, and I know loudly about criticism of anti-Semitism’s actions in Colombia… If the administration violates criminal law to justify taking this harsh action and cannot prove that it will do so because of the opinions he has expressed, it violates their false protections. I wrote it x.
House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries attacked a similar to Schumer.
“There is a serious university disciplinary process that can handle the issue as long as his actions contradict Columbia’s policies and create an unacceptable, hostile academic environment for Jewish students and others,” Jeffreys said. I said In a statement. “The actions taken by the Trump administration are very inconsistent with the US Constitution because there is no evidence of crime, including providing serious support to terrorist organizations.”
However, other Democrats have come out fiercely for the full release of Halil in letters signed by 14 lawmakers, including Rashida Tribe of Michigan, Mark Pokan of Wisconsin, Nydia Velazquez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and Jasmine Crockett of Texas.
Only 14 councillors have signed this letter calling for the release of Mahmoud Khalil pic.twitter.com/numtqiirrc
– Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) March 11, 2025
“We must be very clear. This is an attempt to criminalize political protests and a direct attack on the freedom of speech of everyone in this country.” situation The letter was addressed to the Department of Homeland Security, Christie Noem. “Halil’s arrest is an anti-Palestinian racism that aims to silence the Palestinian solidarity movement in the country.”
Democrat New York State Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez didn’t join some of her fellow “squad” members signed the letter to Noem, but she did sign Another letter, along with 27 other state and local officials, condemns Khalil’s arrest.
“Mahmoud Khalil’s treatment of the Trump administration is inhumane and unconstitutional,” said the lawmaker, a woman. Posted x.
The split reaction from the Democrats is another indication that the party is struggling to form a cohesive identity during the second Trump administration. And it’s not just the Israeli-Gaza War. From changing child sexuality to biological men competing for sports, tariffs vs free trade, or their actions during Trump’s first joint speech to Congress, Democrats have consistently discarded mixed messages. The dissociation does not help them resist the House and Senate administrations. Nor will they help them rebuild their brand for medium term elections.
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