This story was originally published by the WND News Center.
JERUSALEM – In an effort to get some kind of grip on the anti-Semitism, which has swept the U.S., especially since the Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 onslaught on Israel, President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order Wednesday which will instruct all federal agencies to take decisive action, including identifying legal avenues to punish and deport individuals engaging in anti-Jewish activities – in particular, foreign students on visas.
A document describing the order requires agency and department leaders to provide the White House with recommendations within 60 days and outlines plans for the Justice Department to investigate pro-Hamas graffiti and intimidation, including on college campuses, according to a New York Post exclusive.
Among those to be targeted in the executive order are resident aliens – including those on student visas – who broke laws as part of the anti-Israel protests following the Oct. 7, terrorist attack, which sparked Israel's invasion of Gaza.
Some of the protests began before the IDF's entry into the Strip had begun. The Department of Justice will also intensify its investigations into pro-Hamas graffiti, harassment, and intimidation.
Last month, six House Republicans called on the government to more to address the rising tide of anti-Semitism, including the conditioning of federal aid to colleges – such as Columbia, which has become a hotbed of anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist agitation – to enforce stricter policies to counter it. The college reportedly took in more than $2 billion in federal funds in the 2023 fiscal year.
The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department allegedly stonewalled on releasing key records on the matter, reinforcing Republican claims the Biden administration had been slow – at best – to address anti-Semitic threats.
For his part, Trump is keeping yet another campaign promise, following up on remarks he made calling for the expulsion of foreign students openly supporting Hamas. Last week, he signed another executive order hinting at broader measures to prevent non-citizens from supporting designated terrorist organizations within U.S. borders.
While so-called "hate speech" is protected under the First Amendment, the same House GOP report released last month argues federal law bars recipients of taxpayer funds from tolerating discrimination, under the rubric of which preventing Jewish students – and only Jewish students – from certain areas would presumably fall.
