FAFO Columbia Loses: $400M in federal funds & Antisemitic Organizer Getting Deported

Summary

Verdict with Ted Cruz – Episode Summary: FAFO Columbia Loses $400M in Federal Funds & Antisemitic Organizer Getting Deported

Release Date: March 10, 2025

Introduction In this episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz," hosted by Senator Ted Cruz and co-host Ben Ferguson, the duo delves into significant developments concerning antisemitism on American college campuses, particularly focusing on Columbia University. The discussion highlights federal actions against the institution, the deportation of a Palestinian organizer, and the broader implications for free speech and university policies.

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1. Federal Funding Cuts to Columbia University

Timestamp: 01:01 – 05:08

Senator Ted Cruz opens the discussion by addressing his predictions regarding Columbia University’s handling of antisemitism. He explains how the Trump administration, under existing federal laws like Title 6 of the Civil Rights Act, is taking action against universities that foster a hostile environment for Jewish students.

Key Points:

• Columbia University has been the target of $400 million in federal funding cuts for failing to address antisemitism adequately on campus.
• The administration’s Anti-Semitism Task Force is reviewing over $5 billion in federal grants, signaling that Columbia is just the beginning.
• The task force emphasizes that such measures are in response to the university’s failure to protect Jewish students, as evidenced by communications from the Columbia Orthodox rabbi warning students about safety concerns.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz (03:45): "Columbia will not protect you."
• Ben Ferguson (04:50): "Our academic campuses are so sick. This is the ideology being taught to our children."

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2. Deportation of a Palestinian Organizer

Timestamp: 05:08 – 08:09

The conversation shifts to the recent deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student and prominent protest organizer at Columbia University. This action underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to holding foreign activists accountable.

Key Points:

• Khalil was arrested by ICE agents for his role in anti-Israel protests at Columbia.
• Despite holding a green card, his permanent residency was revoked, leading to deportation.
• This move is part of a broader strategy to deter foreign involvement in fostering antisemitism on campuses.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz (07:00): "If you are horrified at the antisemitism, you will see the Trump Department of Justice follow the money, prosecute those engaged in violence, and cut off funds from universities that celebrate this."
• Ben Ferguson (07:16): "The rabbi at the university wasn't crazy. She was warning Jewish students to leave because their safety couldn't be guaranteed."

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3. Resignation of Columbia University’s President

Timestamp: 05:38 – 07:29

The episode reviews the resignation of Columbia University President Manouch Shafiq amidst intense criticism over her handling of campus protests.

Key Points:

• Shafiq resigned after intense scrutiny over her response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which culminated in violent protests and mass arrests.
• She cited "a period of turmoil" and the difficulty in reconciling divergent views within the university community.
• Her resignation follows similar actions from other Ivy League presidents who faced backlash for their management of antisemitic incidents.

Notable Quotes:

• Manouch Shafiq (06:16): "Antisemitism has no place on our campus and I am personally committed to..."
• Ben Ferguson (07:04): "The new Shafiq, shame on you."

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4. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing on Antisemitism

Timestamp: 10:46 – 17:31

Ben Ferguson discusses the recent Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on antisemitism, highlighting the lack of response from the Democratic-controlled committee during previous sessions.

Key Points:

• The hearing marked the first Republican-led initiative to address the surge in antisemitic incidents, especially post-October 7 attacks.
• Ferguson criticizes the Democratic Party for its inaction, emphasizing the stark increase in antisemitic incidents from 3,669 to over 10,005 in 2024.
• Testimonies during the hearing revealed the extent of antisemitism on college campuses and the failure of institutions to protect Jewish students.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson (11:04): "What we've seen happen to our schools pisses me off."
• Senator Ted Cruz (15:50): "It is clear that there is coordination and there must be some common funding."

---

5. Testimony Against Harvard’s Handling of Antisemitism

Timestamp: 25:43 – 31:27

A pivotal moment in the episode is the detailed recounting of the Senate hearing where Senator Cruz interrogates Harvard President Manouch Shafiq about the university’s stance on antisemitic speech.

Key Points:

• Cruz questions Shafiq on whether calls for genocide against Jews are protected free speech at Harvard.
• Shafiq maintains Harvard’s commitment to free expression, even of offensive views, unless they cross into harassment or bullying.
• Cruz challenges this stance, pointing out Harvard’s history of rescinding admissions for offensive behavior and questioning the university’s accountability.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz (26:29): "Gay, a Harvard student calling for the mass murder of African Americans is not protected free speech at Harvard, Correct?"
• Manouch Shafiq (27:44): "We embrace a commitment to free expression and give a wide berth to free expression, even of views that are objectionable, offensive, hateful."
• Ben Ferguson (31:27): "Her testimony ended her tenure within days. The immediate fallout of that testimony, she lost her job."

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6. Broader Implications and Future Actions

Timestamp: 22:25 – 32:52

Cruz and Ferguson discuss the broader implications of these actions, emphasizing the importance of accountability and the role of political leadership in combating antisemitism.

Key Points:

• The Trump administration’s actions serve as a deterrent against antisemitic activities on campuses.
• Ferguson highlights the ideological roots of antisemitism in academic settings, tracing them back to cultural Marxism and leftist ideologies.
• The hosts stress the necessity of continued vigilance and advocacy to ensure the safety and inclusion of Jewish students nationwide.

Notable Quotes:

• Ben Ferguson (20:32): "She might be marching with the pro Hamas protesters. Elections have consequences."
• Senator Ted Cruz (25:43): "What action has been taken against students who are harassing and calling for the genocide of Jews on Harvard's campus."

---

Conclusion

The episode of "Verdict with Ted Cruz" provides a comprehensive examination of the recent federal crackdown on antisemitism within Ivy League institutions, spotlighting Columbia University’s financial penalties and the deportation of a Palestinian activist. Through incisive dialogue and critical analysis, Cruz and Ferguson underscore the ongoing battle against antisemitism in academic settings and advocate for sustained governmental and institutional accountability.

Key Takeaways:

• Federal authorities are actively addressing antisemitism on campuses, beginning with significant financial sanctions.
• University administrations are under increased scrutiny for their handling of extremist protests and hate speech.
• The Trump administration’s proactive measures contrast sharply with the perceived inaction of previous administrations, highlighting the impact of political leadership on combating hate and ensuring student safety.

Notable Quotes:

• Senator Ted Cruz (32:05): "This moment for us to not, as I would say, stop shining the light on this is so vitally important."
• Ben Ferguson (32:07): "Fully agree."

---

Attribution of Notable Quotes: All quotes are attributed to the respective speakers—Senator Ted Cruz and Ben Ferguson—with corresponding timestamps to provide context and reference points within the episode.

Transcript

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[Unnamed Host]

It is verdict with Senator Ted Cruz, Ben Ferguson with you as always, Happy Monday. And Senator, it is a prediction that you predicted a few weeks ago and it's dealing with Columbia University, but it's also dealing with students that are anti Israel, anti Semitic. And now Donald Trump is paying off on one of his promises.

[Ben Ferguson]

You know, there's a phrase that's gone viral online. It's fafo. And I gotta say, there are a whole lot of anti Israel, anti Semitic radicals that are finding out what that means. And there are also a lot of Ivy League administrators and professors who are finding out what it means. You and I, we interviewed on this podcast, Pam Bondi, the Attorney General in front of cpac, we interviewed live. And I predicted in that interview, I said the Trump administration is going to go after universities that allow these radical, anti Israel, pro Hamas, anti Semitic protests and they're gonna go after them on a couple of fronts. Number one, it is existing federal law under Title 6 of the Civil rights laws that you cannot create an environment that is hostile, that is discriminating against people based on ethnicity or faith. And when you have universities like Columbia and much of the rest of the Ivy League that are allowing Jewish students to be afraid for their lives, the Columbia Orthodox rabbi, in the midst of the very worst protest after October 7, sent out an email to the Jewish students on campus and said, do not come into campus. You are not safe. Columbia will not protect you. And what you and I predicted on this podcast with Attorney General Pam Bondi, is the Trump Department of Justice is going to come after these universities and cut off their funds. And I said, you know what, first in line is Columbia University because they've been the most brazen about it. And I predicted second that we are going to see these anti Semitic protesters who are foreigners. We're going to see their visas revoked and we're going to see them deported. Well, all of that is happening right now. This past week, the news broke the Trump administration is cutting off $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, claiming that it has failed to take steps to confront antisemitism on campus after Hamas's October 7th attack on Israel. The cuts represent the federal government's first round of grant cancellations for Columbia. According to the administration's newly formed Anti Semitism Task Force, which is leading the effort, Colombia has over $5 billion. Let me repeat that again. 5 billion billion in active federal grants that are being reviewed by the government. So $400 million has already been cut off and they've got a total of $5 billion in federal grants that are potentially on the chopping block. And let's be clear, Columbia is just the first of those. But not only that, on top of that, the news has broken in recent hours that immigration agents arrest Palestinian activists who help lead the Columbia University protest. The Associated Press is reporting, quote, federal immigration authorities arrested a Palestinian activist Saturday who played a prominent role in Columbia University's protest against Israel, a significant escalation in the Trump administration's pledge to detain and deport student activists. Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia until this past December, was inside his university owned department Saturday night when several Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents entered and took him into custody. His attorney, Amy Greer, told the Associated Press. Greer says she spoke by phone with one of the ICE agents during the arrest who said they were acting on the State Department orders to revoke Khalil's student visa. Informed by the attorney that was in the United States as a permanent resident with a green card, the agent said they were revoking that instead, according to the lawyer, as I mentioned, Ben FA Fo.

[Unnamed Host]

Yeah, it really is incredible. And we got to remind people how we got to this point. And a lot of it was revolving around when, when, when those three university presidents went to Capitol Hill and even CBS News talking about how the Columbia University president resigned after all this anti Semitism was allowed on campus. Here is how CBS THIS Morning put it when it happened.

[Ben Ferguson]

Another high profile college leader has resigned after the campus unrest that we saw last Spring. Columbia University President Minou Shafiq had been roundly criticized for her response to the pro Palestinian demonstrations on that campus. The new school year begins in just three weeks, so why now? Is the question. As Tom Hansen reports, Shafik is the third Ivy League president to step down in connection to protests against the war in Gaza.

[Tom Hansen]

Nearly four months after fierce protests over the Israel Hamas war gripped Columbia University and backlash by students, faculty and lawmakers alike over her testimony on Capitol Hill.

[Manouch Shafiq]

Anti Semitism has no place on our.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Campus and I am personally committed to.

[Manouch Shafiq]

Doing everything I can.

[Tom Hansen]

The school's president, Manouch Shafiq, stepped down Wednesday, just one year in into the role. In her resignation letter, Shafik cited the turbulent period, saying it had been, quote, a period of turmoil where it has been difficult to overcome divergent views across our community. Columbia University's encampment was the epicenter of pro Palestinian protests across college campuses last spring. At times, those demonstrations took a violent turn and resulted in mass arrests after Shafiq twice called in the NYPD to dismantle the tent scene and culminating with hundreds of police officers moving in to clear out protesters that occupied a campus building.

[Ben Ferguson]

The new Shafiq, shame on you.

[Tom Hansen]

Shafiq's actions prompted criticism not just from pro Palestinian students, but also Jewish students who said they lived in fear on campus.

[Manouch Shafiq]

When they harangue us with chants of from the river to the sea, Shafiq.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Doesn'T want us to believe our own.

[Tom Hansen]

Eyes and ears, resulting in calls for her to step down, including from lawmakers who visited Colombia during the protests.

[Unnamed Announcer]

I am here today joining my colleagues and calling on President Shafik to resign.

[Tom Hansen]

Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson in a social media post last night wrote, jewish students at Columbia beginning this school year should breathe a sigh of relief. For CBS Mornings, I'm Tom Hansen.

[Unnamed Host]

When CBS News says that you're the epicenter, referring to Columbia University, of all of the worst protests, you know it was bad. And not only you heard Speaker John Sarah called for to resign. You called center for several of these presidents of university to resign as well. And that was certainly stepped in the right direction. But now we're seeing the payoff from what Trump promised on the campaign trail.

[Ben Ferguson]

Well, sure. And you go back to last year when you had the presidents of Harvard, MIT and Penn all testify in the House. It will go down in history as the most disastrous, disastrous House testimony I think that's ever happened. Within two weeks, two of the three university presidents, Harvard and Penn, both resigned. It was a hearing on anti Semitism, where they basically explained they gave lots of academic jumbledy jook, but it's essentially what they were saying is anti Semitism. We don't know what it is, we don't care to stop it because we're leftist. And that's what universities are all about. And their complete obliviousness to creating a hostile environment where a significant percentage of their students, their lives and safety are in danger. It was really astonishing. And it's the fruit of the ideological rot that has happened in our college campuses. Look, I've told the story before of about a year ago. I was meeting with a very successful Silicon Valley entrepreneur, a man on the left, a Democrat, who was expressing bewilderment. He said, where is all of this hatred, this anti Semitism, this, this anti Americanism on college campuses? Where is it coming from? And I told him, I referenced the last book I wrote, how to Defeat Cultural Marxism in America. And I said, listen, this is the fruits of cultural Marxism that have taken over our universities and our institutions. And it goes back to the 1960s and 70s, sadly, to my alma mater, to Harvard, where you had Marxists that came onto the faculty and they began teaching and dividing the world into a Marxist dichotomy where everyone falls into one of two categories. You are either an oppressor or a victim. And to the modern day leftists, Jews are categorized as oppressors. And importantly, I did not say Israelis, I said Jews. If you are Jewish, to a leftist you are an oppressor, Period. The end. And Palestinians in that taxonomy are categorized as victims. And once you slot them into those two categories, the leftist Marxist ideology is they support the violent revolutionary overthrow by the victims of the oppressors, which is why you saw so many left wing radicals cheering on the Hamas Terrorists who murdered 1200 people on October 7, who raped little girls and women. And you had these leftist radicals cheering them on. Our academic campuses are so sick. This is the ideology that is being taught to our children.

[Unnamed Host]

It really is. And this is something that you guys have also been focused on on Capitol Hill when it comes to calling out the Biden administration for doing nothing about the anti Semitic protests that took place on our college campuses. And part of this is you gotta have a spotlight on it.

[Ben Ferguson]

Yep. So this past week the Senate Judiciary Committee had a hearing on antisemitism. Now you might think given the massive rise in anti Semitism, particularly following October 7, given the acts of violence against Jews across America, you might think the Senate Judiciary Committee would be looking at this. Do you know how many Hearings we had on anti Semitism. When the Democrats had the gavel, I'm.

[Unnamed Host]

Going to go out in a limb and say zero.

[Ben Ferguson]

Wow. You got it precisely right to the 100th decimal point. That would be 0.000. They do not care at all if you listen.

[Unnamed Host]

Every day I get these trick questions right.

[Ben Ferguson]

Even a blind squirrel. Not a one. So a month into the new Congress, Republicans have the majority. We held a hearing this past week on anti Semitism. The Democrats were terrified. They didn't want to talk about it, but. But I took the opportunity. Listen, I got to say, this issue pisses me off what we've seen happen to our schools. And so I want you to listen to my questioning of the witnesses and what I had to say last week at the hearing on anti Semitism. Give a listen.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Antisemitism is evil.

[Ben Ferguson]

It is wrong.

[Unnamed Announcer]

And it is flourishing with the acquiescence and in many cases active participation of student, of students, of faculty, of administrators and government officials. And sadly, the Democrat party has a deep and pervasive problem confronting this evil. For the last two years, in the wake of October 7, this committee held zero hearings on anti Semitism in the in the United States, despite the fact that Republicans repeatedly called for it. The acts of violence Prior to October 7th, 3669 anti Semitic incidents occurred in the United States. Following October 7th, in less than three months, that number spiked to over 5,000. In 2024, that number skyrocketed to 10,005 anti Semitic incidents. This problem is particularly acute on our college campuses. Columbia University. Columbia University was a major epicenter where they encouraged, tolerated and celebrated this vicious and vile anti Semitism. Rabbi Eli Bueller emailed every Jewish student on campus and said, quote, the events of the last few days have made it clear that Columbia University's public safety cannot guarantee Jewish students safety in the face of extreme anti Semitism and anarchy. I would strongly recommend you return home. This is the rabbi at the university saying your school will not protect your safety and Columbia didn't do a damn thing about it. And I'll tell you what, the rabbi wasn't crazy. Here is one picture taken on the campus of Columbia. In the back are Jewish students waving American flags and Israeli flags. In the front, a Columbia student wearing a mask. Because these cowards are oh so brave, they cover their faces holding a handwritten sign that says Al Qassam's next Next targets. Al Qassam is the military branch of Hamas. Understand what this student is saying? She is calling for the murder of her Jewish classmates. And by the way, this student, the Internet being what it is, she's been identified now on the Internet. This is not a Palestinian who's subject to oppression. This is a rich blonde girl from Atlanta whose parents are multimillionaire real estate developers. And they got so proud. I'm sending my child to an Ivy League education where she'll be indoctrinated to dress up and advocate Hamas murdering Jewish students because they are Jews. Now, if you agree that is evil and vile, let me ask you something. Where are the Democrats? Not a one is here. And it's because the Democrat Party has decided the pro Hamas wing of the party is more important than protecting Jewish students in America. And if you don't believe me, maybe you'll believe Chuck Schumer. Chuck Schumer, texting with Columbia, said the following On January 4, then President of Columbia, Shafik explained to Shipman and her fellow co chair David Greenwald that she had met with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who advised Shafik that university's political problems about anti Semitism are really only among Republicans. We, the Democrats, we don't care about this anti Semitism stuff. Ms. Lewin, am I the only person that has noticed that these anti Israel, pro Hamas, anti Semitic protests that the tents all match?

[Senator Ted Cruz]

No, you are not the only one to have noticed.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Is it clear that there is significant money funding these attacks on Jewish students and attacks on America?

[Senator Ted Cruz]

It is clear that there is coordination and there must be some common funding.

[Unnamed Announcer]

In the last two years under the Biden Justice Department. Are you aware of any investigation to follow the money behind these protests?

[Senator Ted Cruz]

I am not.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Are you aware of anyone who has been indicted for funding these protests?

[Senator Ted Cruz]

I am not.

[Unnamed Announcer]

Are you aware of any university that has had their Title 6 federal funds cut off because they've tolerated, welcome, celebrated, and as Senator Holly put out, had their own officials cheering on anti Semitism as even one university lost their funding?

[Senator Ted Cruz]

I am not aware of any university having actually lost their fund.

[Unnamed Announcer]

And I'll point out also some of the defenders say free speech, free speech.

[Ben Ferguson]

You're right.

[Unnamed Announcer]

You have a free speech right as an American citizen to say vile, hateful, bigoted things. Let me ask you something. If a university student went into the public square, dressed up in a Klan outfit, burned a cross and said, we should murder African American students, do you have any doubt the university would expel that student?

[Senator Ted Cruz]

I am fairly certain that the universities would take action and ensure that their policy.

[Unnamed Announcer]

They should expel them if they're foreign students. They should be deported. And mark my words, if you are horrified at the anti Semitism, you will see the Trump Department of Justice follow the money, prosecute the people who are paying for this, prosecute those engaged in violence and cut off the money from universities that are tolerating and celebrating this. That is the rule of law. And ask yourself, why did the Biden Justice Department do absolutely nothing about this horror that is unfolding?

[Unnamed Host]

Senator, it was unbelievable to hear you call it out. And I do think we just have to remind people this is systematic on our college campuses, especially the Ivy Leagues. I go back in my head to Harvard and just the defiance of some of these individuals when they were testifying before Congress, they had no problem standing with these anti Semitic protesters.

[Ben Ferguson]

Look, because they believe the same things the administrators, they have been teaching the same poison. The faculty's been teaching the same poison. And I'll note that clip you played while I was questioning at the hearing on antisemitism. As I noted, not a single Democrat senator was in the room. The hearing room was empty. And that really spoke volumes. They don't want to talk about this. And the problem is a political problem. In today's Democrat Party. There is a real and meaningful pro Hamas wing of the Democrat Party and the Democrats are terrified of that pro Hamas wing of the Democrat Party. The question I've asked repeatedly and look, most of the people who listen to verdict are I think politically right of center or conservative or libertarians. But we actually have a fair number of reporters who listen to verdict and you know, I'm hoping we have a handful of open minded, free thinking liberals, people who consider themselves left of center but recognize that if you want to actually have an intelligent understanding of the issues, then you want to hear from a wide spectrum of views and try to process and ascertain what is right. If you at home are one of those, let's say you're a Democrat who lives in New York City, let's say you voted for Kamala Harris, you voted for Joe Biden, maybe you voted for Barack Obama. If you disagree with the pro Hamas wing of the Democrat Party, if you don't like the vile anti Semites that have flourished on college campuses and that have threatened the safety of Jewish students, you ought to ask yourself very seriously what happened in the last week. Colombia got its money cut off. A one of the organizers of the protests is going to be deported. Why didn't any of that happen under Joe Biden? There was nothing to prevent the Biden administration from doing this. They had Every bit of legal authority, as far as I can tell, they didn't even investigate it. They didn't ask where the money came from. I certainly asked the attorney general and the FBI repeatedly if they were doing that, if they were investigating it. They refused to tell the Senate. They refused to tell me. And we do know that no one paid any consequences for it because no one was indicted. And that ends up encouraging more of this. And you have to ask yourself, was that an accident or was there a reason? Listen, if Kamala Harris, God forbid, had been elected president in November. Ben, let me ask you this. What do you think are the odds Columbia would have had that 400 million cut off if Kamala Harris were president?

[Unnamed Host]

No. 0%. And I bet you the antisemitism would explode on college campuses because they would not have any worries at Trump.

[Ben Ferguson]

Shame. She might be marching with the pro Hamas protesters. And by the way, this. This organizer who's being deported, the odds of his being deported if Kamala were president are zero. Elections have consequences. And this issue, this issue matters.

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Almost a year and a half of nothing but war and terror and pain in Israel fighting for their survival against radical Islamists. And all of Israel is brokenhearted after learning of the tragic death of the Phoebus children who are held hostage in Gaza. We all saw the images. It was horrible. So many are still hurting in the Holy Land, where the need for aid continues to grow. Thankfully, the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews. They're supporting the families of hostages, other victims of the October 7 attacks and the war that ensued. And with your help, the IFCJ has been able to provide financial emotional help to hostages, their families and to those that are healing and rebuilding their homes and broken bodies. But the real work, sadly, is just beginning. Whatever you can give, please go to their website. It's one word. It's supportifcj.org supportifcj.org or call toll free 888-488ifcj 888-488-ifcj today.

[Unnamed Host]

So let's talk about this one student and expand on that just for a second, because I do think this is probably, in my opinion, more than just a, quote, example. For me, this looks like this is the beginning. This isn't just a one off. I think it's very clear. The Trump administration is saying, if you are here as a student on a visa and you go out and you participate in this, there's gonna be accountability. We're not screwing around. I don't think this is the last time we're gonna see this.

[Ben Ferguson]

Well, and there was an example I used in my Senate questioning that I wanna flesh out a little bit, because some people will say, free speech, free speech. And it is absolutely right that an American citizen has a right to engage in free speech and to say things that are horrible, that are bigoted, that are hateful. You have a right to say that. I will defend your right to say that. But it doesn't mean that you are entitled to be immune from the consequences of what you say. And so one example I gave, if you're a university student, and let's say a university student dressed in a Klan outfit and went onto campus and burned across and began screaming that we should murder all the African American students, if that university student was an American citizen, he or she would have a First Amendment right to say that. But I think the odds are 100% the university would expel them. There could be consequences for your speech when they are so vile and hateful. And if someone did that, advocating for the murder of their fellow students, they would be expelled. Now, they wouldn't be incarcerated. It is not a crime to say that. But a university would be within its rights to say that, that we are not going to tolerate this level of hate directed at our fellow students. That is what the pro Hamas protesters were saying when they said from the river to the Sea. When they said at the University of Washington to Jewish students, you go back to the ovens. They were arguing when that Columbia woman held the sign saying Alkasam's next target, pointing at Jewish students. They were arguing for their fellow students to be murdered in this instance because they are Jews. A university is fully within its right to expel that student for doing so. Now, secondly, if someone is not a US Citizen, if they are on a student visa, a student visa is a privilege. It is the United States making the decision. We think it is beneficial to us to let you come to our country and study in our schools. It is a permissive grant. And if you are organizing radical protests and harassing Jewish students with vicious antisemitism, and, mind you, vicious anti Americanism, these bastards are burning American flags. While in many instances taking federal money and student aid and basking the protection of the federal government. Listen, I am confident this guy is not the first foreigner who has been a radical, who's been admitted under the Obama administration and Biden administration, who's going to have his visa revoked and who's going to be deported. And he should. It doesn't mean that an American who said that, says this would go to jail for saying it. But there are consequences for speech and that is entirely consistent with protecting robust free speech.

[Unnamed Host]

Well, let's remind people, because I do think it's so important that people just remember where this started. And I want to go back to the Harvard president over the students calling, and you mentioned this for, for intifada on campus. It was a very simple question. She was asked by Lisa Phonic and it didn't go well. And that's where I think there was that first moment for many Americans that couldn't believe, as you described it, of these radical extremists taking over our Ivy Leagues, taking over our college campuses beneath the Ivy Leagues, and indoctrinating people with this type of hate. Let's go back to 2023. This was back in December. On December 5th of 2023, Dr.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Gay, a Harvard student calling for the mass murder of African Americans is not protected free speech at Harvard, Correct?

[Manouch Shafiq]

Our commitment to free speech, it's a.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Yes or no question. Is that corrected? Is that okay for students to call for the mass murder of African Americans at Harvard? Is that protected free speech?

[Manouch Shafiq]

Our commitment to free speech.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

It's a yes or no question. Let me ask you this. You are president of Harvard, so I assume you're familiar with the term intifada, correct?

[Manouch Shafiq]

I've heard that term, yes.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

And you understand that the use of the term intifada in the context of the Israeli Arab conflict is indeed a call for violent armed resistance against the state of Israel, including violence against civilians and the genocide of Jews. Are you aware of that?

[Manouch Shafiq]

That type of hateful speech is personally abhorrent to me.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

And there have been multiple marches at Harvard with students chanting, quote, there is only one solution, Intifada, revolution, and, quote, globalize the intifada. Is that correct?

[Manouch Shafiq]

I've heard that thoughtless, reckless and hateful Language on our campus? Yes.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

So based upon your testimony, you understand that this call for Intifada is to commit genocide against the Jewish people in Israel and globally. Correct?

[Manouch Shafiq]

I will say again, that type of hateful speech is personally abhorrent to me.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Do you believe that type of hateful speech is contrary to Harvard's code of conduct, or is it allowed at Harvard?

[Manouch Shafiq]

It is at odds with the values of Harvard.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Can you not say here that it is against the code of conduct?

[Manouch Shafiq]

At Harvard, we embrace a commitment to free expression, even of views that are objectionable, offensive, hateful. It's. When that speech crosses into conduct that violates our policies against bullying, harassment, does.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

That speech not cross that barrier? Does that speech. Speech not call for the genocide of Jews and the elimination of Israel? When you testify that you understand that is the definition of intifada, is that speech according to the code of conduct or not?

[Manouch Shafiq]

We embrace a commitment to free expression and give a wide berth to free expression, even of views that are objectionable.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

You and I both know that's not the case. You were aware that Harvard ranked dead last when it came to free speech. Are you not aware of that report?

[Manouch Shafiq]

As I observed earlier, I reject that characterization.

[Ben Ferguson]

It's.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

The data shows it's true. And isn't it true that Harvard previously rescinded multiple offers of admissions for applicants and accepted freshmen for sharing offensive memes, racist statements, sometimes as young as 16 years old? Did Harvard not rescind those offers of admission?

[Manouch Shafiq]

That long predates my time as president.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

But you understand that Harvard made that decision to rescind those offers of admission?

[Manouch Shafiq]

I have no reason to contradict the facts as you present them.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Correct? Because it's a fact. You're also aware that a Winthrop House faculty dean was let go over who he chose to legally represent, correct? That was while you were dean.

[Manouch Shafiq]

That is an incorrect characterization of what transferred.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

What's the characterization?

[Manouch Shafiq]

I'm not going to get into details about a personnel matter.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Well, let me ask you this. Will admissions offers be rescinded or any disciplinary action be taken against students or applicants who say, from the river to the Sea or intifada advocating for the murder of Jews?

[Manouch Shafiq]

As I've said, that type of hateful, reckless, offensive speech is personally abhorrent to.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Me today that no action will be taken. What action will be taken when speech.

[Manouch Shafiq]

Crosses into conduct that violates our policies, including policies against bullying, harassment or intimidation? We take action and we have robust disciplinary processes that allow us to hold individuals accountable.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

What action has been taken against students who are harassing and calling for the genocide of Jews on Harvard's campus.

[Manouch Shafiq]

I can assure you we have robust.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

What actions have been taken? I'm not asking underway, I'm asking what actions have been taken against those students.

[Manouch Shafiq]

Given students rights to privacy and our obligations under ferpa. I will not say more about any specific cases other than to reiterate that processes are ongoing.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

Do you know what the number one hate crime in America is?

[Manouch Shafiq]

I know that over the last couple of months there has been an alarming rise of anti Semitism, which I understand is the critical topic that we are here to discuss.

[Senator Ted Cruz]

That's correct. It.

[Unnamed Host]

I'm just going to stop it there. And I think it's so important just to remind people of where we were. And as you mentioned, Senator, elections have consequences. The good news is she's no longer the President.

[Ben Ferguson]

And that testimony ended her tenure within days. The immediate fallout of that testimony, she lost her job. Now mind you, Harvard gave her a cushy job paying her $900,000 a year. So there's still. She's just not the President anymore. But they didn't run very far.

[Unnamed Host]

No. And others at least lost their jobs being in charge. But like you said, I still think there's a lot of this on college campuses. I still think it would be flourishing if we didn't have Donald Trump in office. And that's why this moment for us to not, as I would say, stop shining the light on this is so vitally important.

[Ben Ferguson]

Fully agree.

[Unnamed Host]

Don't forget, we do the show Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Hit that subscriber auto download button wherever you get your podcasts. We will keep talking about these important issues even after the media stops and moves on to something else because it is important. And the center and I will see you back here on Wednesday morning.

[Ben Ferguson]

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[Manouch Shafiq]

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[Manouch Shafiq]

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[Ben Ferguson]

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[Unnamed Announcer]

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