Task Force on Anti-Semitism Launched

When President Trump requested me to lead the Justice Department’s efforts against anti-Semitism, I immediately felt grateful. Why? Well, it’s really personal for me. After all, I’ve spent 35 years as a civil rights lawyer. A Jewish friend of mine helped kickstart my career by letting me use office space for free when I was just starting out. Growing up in the 1960s, I came to appreciate the historical connections between black and Jewish Americans. I think about the Jewish activists who stood alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and remember one who was tragically murdered in 1964 while advocating for African-American rights. Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner—those names stick with me.

This shared history highlights how interconnected the struggles for equality are. If you stand against one form of hatred, you have to stand against it all. The fight against anti-Semitism isn’t just about Jewish people; it’s a broader American issue. Honestly, I’m proud to be a black man leading this charge.

Crackdown on Campus Anti-Semitism

For four years, the previous administration mostly ignored growing anti-Semitism in our country, leaving Jewish Americans vulnerable. In contrast, Trump has made combating anti-Semitism a national priority. His administration is tackling this prevalent issue right where it often flourishes: American universities. Shockingly, in too many of these institutions, anti-Semitism is not only accepted but, in some cases, even encouraged.

The task force has pinpointed schools like Harvard, Columbia, UCLA, and others that have allowed anti-Semitic actions to occur. They’ve faced the reality of potential funding cuts—worth billions—forcing these institutions to acknowledge their shortcomings and implement necessary changes. Federal funding is a privilege, not a right. No one would dispute it if funds were withheld from universities that discriminate against black students. The same standards must apply when Jewish students are under attack. They deserve to learn without facing harassment or threats.

Violence Beyond Campus

The battle doesn’t end at the classroom. Anti-Semitism has spilled into American streets. Radical extremists have violently attacked Jews, even killing Israeli embassy staff members in Washington, D.C. I’ll never forget witnessing the aftermath, seeing blood being cleaned from the sidewalks. In Colorado, Holocaust survivors have suffered horrific fates, and in St. Louis, families connected to the IDF faced arson and hate-filled graffiti targeting them.

The Task Force is committed to ensuring that anyone who commits anti-Semitic acts faces swift and severe justice within the law. We must not let such violence go unpunished.

Addressing Economic Anti-Semitism

There’s also the issue of economic anti-Semitism. Jewish communities are often forced to pay exorbitant amounts for security—expenses that shouldn’t fall solely on them just to feel safe. Recently, at a National Leadership Summit in D.C., I raised the point. One student was billed over $228,000 for security costs that should have been covered to protect Jewish individuals in the area. This is unacceptable; it feels like a “Jewish tax” that contravenes the principle of equal rights. My task force keeps pressing the mayor of D.C. and other leaders to take this seriously. Time for action is now.

We need long-term protective measures in place before Trump’s term concludes to ensure that Jewish Americans are safe, regardless of who occupies the White House in the future.

This role isn’t just a job for me; it’s a round-the-clock mission. I feel a commitment to honor the heroes of the civil rights movement, protect today’s victims of hatred, and work toward a future where Jewish Americans don’t live in fear. Anti-Semitism fueled by groups like Hamas isn’t just a threat to Jews; it ultimately endangers the freedoms that every American values. Fighting against it is not only a moral imperative; it’s crucial for the safety of all of us.