GOP lawmaker schedules hearing on rising antisemitic violence after attacks
The rise of antisemitic violence in the United States has prompted GOP lawmaker Rep. August Pfluger to spearhead a hearing on the issue. The recent attacks in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C., have underscored the need for action to address this disturbing trend.
Rep. Pfluger, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee’s counterterrorism and intelligence subcommittee, has scheduled a hearing for June 11 to examine the increase in anti-Israel terrorist attacks on American soil. He emphasized that these attacks are not isolated incidents but part of a troubling pattern of antisemitic violence and harassment that must be addressed.
The hearing will feature testimony from Kerry Sleeper, the deputy director for intelligence and information sharing with the Secure Community Network, the largest Jewish security organization in North America. Sleeper oversees the National Jewish Security Operations Command Center, which coordinates intelligence with agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI.
Rep. Pfluger has been a vocal advocate for addressing terror threats that pose a risk to U.S. citizens. He reintroduced the Countering Online Radicalization and Terrorism Act in February, a bipartisan measure that aims to evaluate the threat posed by terrorist groups like ISIS and Hamas through the use of foreign cloud-based messaging applications.
The hearing comes in the wake of recent attacks, including the shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington and the terrorist attack in Colorado that left a dozen people injured. The suspect in the Colorado attack, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, had entered the U.S. under the Biden administration and had overstayed his visa.
Lawmakers and intelligence experts have raised concerns about the potential for foreign terrorists to exploit the U.S. border and conduct attacks against American citizens. Rep. Mike Turner and House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green warned in 2024 about the threat posed by individuals with suspected international terrorist ties who were arrested using ICE’s immigration authorities.
The FBI has also highlighted the risk of foreign terrorists entering the U.S. and plotting attacks against Americans. Former FBI Director Christopher Wray warned about the potential for terrorists to exploit vulnerabilities at the southwest border or other points of entry to carry out attacks.
The hearing led by Rep. Pfluger aims to address the growing threat of antisemitic violence in the United States and ensure that measures are taken to protect all Americans from hatred and persecution. By shining a light on this issue, lawmakers hope to prevent future attacks and safeguard the safety and security of all citizens.
