Schumer, Schiff, Jewish Democrats blast President Donald Trump over Harvard funding freeze

Five Jewish Democratic senators have come forward to demand answers from President Donald Trump regarding his recent actions targeting Harvard University and other collegiate institutions across the country under the guise of combatting antisemitism on campus. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, along with Sens. Adam Schiff of California, Jacky Rosen of Nevada, Brian Schatz of Hawaii, and Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, criticized the president’s decisions, stating that while they agree on the importance of addressing antisemitism, they believe Trump’s actions are unjust.

In a letter addressed to President Trump, the senators expressed concern over his administration’s “assault on universities,” including threats to withhold funds from certain institutions of higher learning. They argued that Trump’s actions appeared to be “broad and extra-legal attacks” that went beyond addressing antisemitism and instead seemed to be aimed at punishing institutions that do not align with his views.

Specifically referencing Harvard University, the senators condemned Trump’s threats to revoke the Ivy League college’s tax-exempt status and his disparaging remarks about the faculty. They accused the president of using the pretext of combating antisemitism as a guise to undermine or destroy institutions that he disagrees with.

The senators called on President Trump to provide detailed explanations for his decisions to freeze funding for Harvard and other schools, asking for specific charges related to antisemitism and justification for his actions. They also criticized his targeting of Harvard Medical School, questioning the legal basis for such actions when legal scholars have deemed them unjustified.

In a separate statement, Sen. Schiff shared his personal experience of receiving antisemitic attacks, particularly online, and emphasized the importance of addressing antisemitism on college campuses. Sen. Rosen, who co-sponsored the Antisemitism Awareness Act, highlighted the rise of antisemitism nationwide and the need for Congress to combat this hate.

Sen. Schatz, who has been vocal in opposing antisemitism and Islamophobia, reiterated that criticism of Israel is not antisemitism and that efforts to protect civilians should not be misconstrued as such. Sen. Blumenthal echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the need to fight antisemitism while also safeguarding free speech on university campuses.

In response to the joint letter from the senators, the White House has been contacted for a statement. The senators have expressed their willingness to work with Republicans to combat antisemitism but remain critical of what they perceive as Trump’s ulterior motives in targeting universities under the pretext of addressing antisemitism.