18 April 2025
Trump’s weaponisation of antisemitism is a cynical abuse of a legitimate concern that benefits no one and nothing, as this Haaretz article explains
17 April 2025
Combating Antisemitism? Trump’s War on Universities Will Only Make Jews Less Safe
It is becoming increasingly clear that the White House’s effort to reshape higher education is focused on issues that go beyond antisemitism
Washington, Apr 17, 2025 Ben Samuels
The Trump administration’s dramatic efforts at forever altering higher education in America under the guise of combating antisemitism are proceeding with full force. As expected, however, President Donald Trump is using the supposed pursuit of Jewish safety as a springboard for his greater culture war, making many American Jews unwitting pawns in his fight against “woke” ideology.
Amid its defense of hooded U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers detaining pro-Palestinian activists while denying them constitutional due process rights, the White House has indicated it will maintain its targeting of universities via their tax-exempt status and financial endowments.
These efforts are not limited to private universities. It is also reportedly undertaking efforts to interview workers at the public University of California school system, seeking the personal information of around 900 staff while sparking concern that the federal government is attempting to pit faculty members against each other.
As it expands these efforts, it is becoming increasingly clear that the administration – and Trump himself – are focused on issues that go beyond antisemitism.
In his most recent public comments on why Harvard should not receive federal funding, the president did not mention antisemitism, nor any violation of federal law. Instead, he highlighted its hiring of former New York Mayor Bill de Blasio and ex-Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot – both Democrats and prominent Trump critics.
“Many others, like these Leftist dopes, are teaching at Harvard, and because of that, Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning, and should not be considered on any list of the World’s Great Universities or Colleges. Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds,” he posted on Wednesday.
Amid these shifting goalposts, Trump’s crackdown has catapulted antisemitism to the fore of domestic attention – in the process exploiting the Jewish community’s genuine concerns as a cudgel to undermine American democracy.
It is undeniable that antisemitism has spiked over recent years, fueled by both conspiracy theories and dual loyalty tropes where American Jews’ safety and security is directly linked to the actions of the Israeli government. This was evident just this week in the arson attack targeting Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home on the first night of Passover – during which the alleged assailant reportedly cited the Jewish Democrat’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as his motive.
But has Trump’s targeting of universities, student visa holders and permanent residents increased American Jews’ security? Using Jewish safety as an excuse to attack institutions key to a democratic society has actually made Jews less safe, say leading liberal Jewish organizations.
“Universities have an obligation to protect Jewish students, and the federal government has an important role to play in that effort; however, sweeping draconian funding cuts will weaken the free academic inquiry that strengthens democracy and society, rather than productively counter antisemitism on campus,” noted several leading Jewish organizations in response to the false dichotomy between Jewish safety and upholding democracy.
While revoking hundreds of student visas over the past several months, often on the flimsiest of bases (including arguing that an op-ed in a student paper is evidence of a national security threat), Trump has made clear that rights can be applied or withheld due to someone’s political views. Considering many of these rights are the bedrock of what has allowed the American-Jewish community to thrive over the past century, Jews should be wary of his crackdown’s spillover effects.
All Americans carry the burden of combatting antisemitism, with universities holding a particular responsibility. But as long as Trump uses antisemitism as cover for his wider crackdown on liberal democracy, Jews will not be any safer.
