The Trump administration is looking into anti-Israel protests that took place at Washington University on Monday. During the protests, students reportedly took over the engineering building and set two dumpsters on fire before police equipped for riots intervened and arrested about 30 individuals.
A task force focused on combating anti-Semitism, established by President Trump earlier this year, is evaluating what it describes as a “violent eruption” at the Seattle campus. They have commended the university’s swift response to the protesters’ actions.
This task force emphasizes the need for universities to take stronger measures to prevent future incidents and to create a safe environment for Jewish students. They express hope that UW will implement the necessary enforcement actions and policy adjustments to deter further outbreaks of chaos.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon condemned the “destructive behavior” exhibited by the protesters, labeling it as “unacceptable.” She pointed out that the ongoing violence and disorder at the university is yet another stark example of anti-Semitic harassment prevalent at many elite institutions in the country.
The protesters occupied the engineering building for hours, demanding that Boeing—an aerospace and defense giant with a longstanding relationship with the university—be divested from. Footage from the scene captured demonstrators burning dumpsters while police attempted to regain control.
Students participating in the protests, many of whom covered their faces, blocked access to two streets and restricted entry and exit points to the building, according to university reports. They identified themselves as part of the Palestinian Equality & Return group, which organized these protests. Boeing had previously donated $10 million to the university in 2022.
This student group accused the university of complicity in “Palestinian genocide” due to its partnership with Boeing, claiming the company produces military equipment used in conflicts affecting Palestinians.
University President Ana Mali Koh has voiced strong opposition to the protesters, categorizing their actions as illegal and non-peaceful. She criticized the group’s statement made on October 7, celebrating violent attacks on Israeli civilians by Hamas.
The university maintains that it will not negotiate with groups that employ or accept destructive actions, aiming to uphold the safety of all students and staff on campus.
The task force is currently investigating over 60 universities that it believes have not adequately addressed issues of anti-Semitism. So far, funding has already been cut for several institutions, including Harvard, Brown, and Cornell, in response to these investigations.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from HHS remarked that institutions failing to protect Jewish students should not expect federal funding, emphasizing that this issue transcends politics—it’s about fostering a safe environment for every student.
After occupying the building, protesters unfurled a banner honoring a 19-year-old Palestinian man who died during Israeli bombings of Al-Aqsa Hospital last year. Another protest is scheduled for Thursday at 1 PM in front of Gerberding Hall, aimed at supporting those who were arrested.
