The FBI and DHS paid out more than $8 million to universities last year to fight terrorism but ‘failed’ to protect Jewish students from pro-Palestinian protesters, top Republican says as he demands investigation
Republicans launch investigation into federal law enforcement’s response to ‘pro-Hamas’ university protests that ‘failed’ to prevent threats and violence against Jewish students.
In recent weeks, thousands of students and activists have been arrested for illegally occupying college campuses in the US while calling for the downfall of Israel and praising the Palestinians in Gaza.
At times, Jewish students have been the target of violence and barred from attending classes by pro-Palestinian activists. Some Jewish students have described being afraid to be on campus, while others were told to avoid it altogether.
Now House Homeland Security Chairman Mark Green, R-Tenn., is investigating why federal authorities and universities have failed to protect these students despite receiving more than $8 million in taxpayer-funded funding by 2023. have received government subsidies to do this.
“Universities like Columbia that receive taxpayer-funded Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention grants from DHS must be able to uphold freedom of speech while protecting their students – especially as Jewish students have been repeatedly singled out for harassment since last October ,” Green shared exclusively. DailyMail.com in a statement.
Law enforcement intervenes to separate pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters during a UCLA demonstration
Despite Columbia University receiving more than $800,000 in federal funding to prevent terrorism and violence on campus, hundreds of students and activists were arrested for protesting. The school’s president, Minouche Shafik, has requested a prolonged police presence on campus
“These acts of anti-Semitic hatred and blatant support of terrorist groups are unacceptable everywhere, especially at our institutions of higher education, but this rhetoric and coordinated, destructive activity could signal even more sinister threats to public safety and national security.”
“The committee demands answers from DHS and the FBI on what they are doing to protect students, identify broader threats and secure the homeland,” Green said.
On Friday, the Republican sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray and Sec. Alejandro Mayorkas asks how their agencies worked to prevent violence against Jewish students.
The lawmaker detailed how a Columbia University chapter received more than $800,000 in federal funding for violence and terrorism prevention but still “failed to protect students and avoid violence.”
“Despite receiving substantial federal funding under DHS’s Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) grant program, many universities have failed to respond effectively to an increase in threats and acts of violence directed against Jewish students and the Jewish community,” said the letter, which was exclusively obtained. listed by DailyMail.com.
“These include Columbia University’s Teachers College, which received $820,332 in TVTP grants in fiscal year 2023 to combat violent extremism.”
“However, it is unclear that DHS is taking sufficient steps to ensure the security of the homeland,” Green continued in the letter, before adding that it is also “unclear from the Committee’s oversight how the FBI protects the American people to combat these potential terrorist attacks by countering potential terrorist cells and operatives here at home.”
In total, DHS is awarding more than $8 million in federal grants to universities and colleges across the country “to build or enhance capabilities to prevent targeted violence and terrorism.”
Green demanded that federal agencies send the committee proof of their correspondence with law enforcement agencies and colleges showing their commitment to protecting students.
The letter was co-signed by Representative August Pfluger, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence.
“The anti-Semitic riots that endanger Jewish students and law enforcement officers are unacceptable,” Pfluger said in a statement to DailyMail.com.
“DHS and FBI must take action to take these threats seriously and secure the homeland.”
Lawmakers demanded a response from the FBI and DHS by May 24.