Attorney General Pam Bondi Calls for Expulsion of Anti-Israel Protesters on Student Visas

Attorney General Pam Bondi Calls for Expulsion of Anti-Israel Protesters on Student Visas

Attorney General Pam Bondi has made headlines recently by stating that student protesters in the United States who oppose Israel and are on visas need to leave the country. She emphasized that all students deserve a safe educational environment.

During an appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference near Washington, D.C., Bondi expressed her views alongside Republican Senator Ted Cruz and radio host Ben Ferguson on the live podcast of the “Verdict with Ted Cruz.” She declared, “First of all, these students who are here on visas, who are threatening our American students, need to be kicked out of this country.”

Cruz swiftly supported her assertion, agreeing with an “Amen.”

As the nation’s 87th attorney general, sworn in on February 5, Bondi highlighted the importance of upholding the law as a fundamental duty of her role.

Controversial Protests

Bondi characterized the recent wave of anti-Israel protests on college campuses as anything but peaceful. She stated, “When I was just a citizen, before I had this job … I’m watching these — but these aren’t peaceful protests. We all believe in peaceful protest. Oh. I’m sorry, unless you’re a liberal, and you don’t want a parent to quietly pray outside an abortion clinic, or you’re a Catholic, or a parent at a school board, they’re going to call you a domestic terrorist,” adding that the protests against Israel have become increasingly violent.

These protests began as a response to the ongoing conflict in Israel and have significantly affected campuses throughout the nation. Bondi noted that these demonstrations often led to a rise in antisemitism, with Jewish students feeling unsafe on their own campuses.

Escalating Tensions

Agitators and student protesters flooded universities in 2024, inciting widespread demonstrations against the war in Israel. These protests included incidents of antisemitic rhetoric and actions, which alarmed segments of the student population. Disturbingly, students reported that they felt like it was ‘open season for Jews on our campuses.’

At Columbia University, for instance, protesters took control of Hamilton Hall, while institutions such as UCLA, Harvard, and Yale struggled to manage escalating student encampments. Protesters at these elite schools demanded complete divestment from Israel.

The Impact of Conflict

The situation escalated significantly following the October 7, 2023, conflict initiated by the terrorist organization Hamas, which catalyzed heightened antisemitism across U.S. campuses. This led to graffiti displaying menacing messages and further exacerbated fears among Jewish students. In some cases, authorities warned Jewish students at various institutions, including Columbia, to leave for their safety.

Bondi’s Perspective on the Department of Justice

In her discussion with Cruz and Ferguson, Bondi expressed deep concerns about the politicization of the Department of Justice under the previous administration. She indicated that her first two weeks in office revealed a concerning volume of issues regarding the department’s integrity.

Bondi reflected on her findings, stating, “What concerned me the most? It’s the volume of how bad it was, and it still is. We’re working on it. It’s day by day by day, but we’ve got a team of great people. And on day one, I issued 14 executive orders. And number one is the weaponization ends. And it ends now. And that’s what we do.” This statement underscores her commitment to restoring the agency’s focus on its core mission.

A Commitment to Law Enforcement

Despite the challenges, Bondi conveyed optimism about the Department of Justice. She mentioned that many employees have expressed gratitude for her leadership, reinforcing her belief that most staff members are dedicated to fighting crime.

Bondi concluded, “The majority of the people are great people, who went to law school, became prosecutors, became law enforcement agents to fight crime.” This highlights her intention to realign the department’s priorities back to its essential role in maintaining law and order.

Looking Ahead

As tensions continue to rise on college campuses and political discourse becomes increasingly divided, Bondi’s strong stance against anti-Israel protests raises critical questions about the balance between free speech and campus safety. The actions of student protesters and the government’s response will likely remain focal points of discussion in the months ahead.