Trump’s Latest Legal Move Is Driving Massive Wedge Between Democrats

President Donald Trump’s latest legal move is driving a massive wedge between Democrats.

Federal immigration authorities arrested activist and legal permanent U.S. resident Mahmoud Khalil on Saturday night, alleging that the recent Columbia University graduate should be deported for engaging in “pro-Hamas activity.” In their response to the arrest, Senate and House Democrats are, ironically, concerned all of a sudden with free speech. However, some Democrats have issued more tepid statements compared to their colleagues, attempting to tread a thin line so as not to offend either their constituents more sympathetic to Israel than Gaza or the activist wing of their party who are staunchly pro-Palestine. (Subscribe to MR. RIGHT, a weekly newsletter about modern masculinity)

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said he abhors Khalil’s views but that President Donald Trump’s administration must prove he committed a crime; otherwise, their move to deport the activist is “wrongheaded” and a violation of the First Amendment.

I abhor many of the opinions and policies that Mahmoud Khalil holds and supports, and have made my criticism of the antisemitic actions at Columbia loudly known. Mr. Khalil is also legal permanent resident here, and his wife, who is 8-months pregnant, is an American citizen.…

— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) March 11, 2025

“I abhor many of the opinions and policies that Mahmoud Khalil holds and supports, and have made my criticism of the antisemitic actions at Columbia loudly known … If the administration cannot prove he has violated any criminal law to justify taking this severe action and is doing it for the opinions he has expressed, then that is wrong, they are violating the First Amendment protections we all enjoy and should drop their wrongheaded action,” he wrote on X.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries struck a similar tone as Schumer.

“To the extent his actions were inconsistent with Columbia University policy and created an unacceptable hostile academic environment for Jewish students and others, there is a serious university disciplinary process that can handle the matter,” Jeffries said in a statement. “Absent evidence of a crime, such as providing material support for a terrorist organization, the actions undertaken by the Trump administration are wildly inconsistent with the United States Constitution.”

But other Democrats came out hard, calling for Khalil’s full release in a letter signed by 14 lawmakers, including Reps. Rashida Tlaib of Michigan, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, Nydia Velázquez of New York, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and Jasmine Crockett of Texas.

Only 14 congresspeople signed this letter calling for the release of Mahmoud Khalil pic.twitter.com/NumTQIirrc

— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) March 11, 2025

“We must be extremely clear: this is an attempt to criminalize political protest and is a direct assault on the freedom of speech of everyone in this country,” states the letter, addressed to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. “Khalil’s arrest is an act of anti-Palestinian racism intended to silence the Palestinian solidarity movement in this country.”

Although Democratic New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did not join some of her fellow ‘squad’ members in signing the letter to Noem, she did sign a separate letter, along with 27 other state and local officials, decrying Khalil’s arrest.

“The Trump Administration’s treatment of Mahmoud Khalil is inhumane and unconstitutional,” the congresswoman posted on X.

The splintered response from Democrats is yet another sign that the party is struggling to form a cohesive identity during the second Trump administration. And it’s not only on the Israel-Gaza war. From child sex changes to biological men competing in sports, tariffs versus free trade, or their conduct during Trump’s first joint address to Congress, Democrats are consistently throwing out mixed messages. The disunity won’t help them resist the administration in the House or Senate, and it won’t help them rebuild their brand for the midterm elections.

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