Staff Reports
A new darling has emerged in the Democrat party’s quest to portray themselves as the champions of the oppressed: Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born anti-Israel activist from Columbia University who recently found himself on the Trump administration’s radar. The White House made the bold choice to detain Khalil, labeling him as “pro-Hamas,” and naturally, the Democrats jumped at the chance to defend him as if he were some misunderstood hero rather than a leading voice in agitation against Israel.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez led the charge, gathering a small army of 27 New York officials to pen a letter to the Department of Homeland Security demanding Khalil’s release. In a typical outcry, she claimed the administration’s actions were inhumane and unconstitutional, glossing over the fact that highlighting national security concerns doesn’t exactly fall under a “human rights violation” umbrella. But who can resist the siren song of being on the “right side of history,” especially when using a green card-holding, Palestinian activist as a prop?
The plot thickened at a recent court hearing. Khalil remains detained in Jena, Louisiana, thanks to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement swooping in on his little protest party in New York City. While a federal judge halted the deportation for now, the sight of dozens of supporters brandishing Palestinian flags outside the courthouse could only make one chuckle at the absurdity of it all. Here’s a case of a man using his First Amendment rights to advocate for a terrorist group rallying behind the idea of eradicating Western civilization, and yet, he finds himself as the Democrats’ poster child for victimization.
‘Free Mahmoud Khalil’: Democrats rally to stop deportation of anti-Israel activisthttps://t.co/qM1OWq51Wk pic.twitter.com/inD6tUbW82
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) March 13, 2025
Enter Secretary of State Marco Rubio, making it crystal clear that the U.S. does not roll out the welcome mat for those who back terrorist organizations like Hamas, a sentiment that drew rebuke from the left. The Trump administration firmly rejects the idea that residency rights should be granted to those who preach antisemitism or chaos on college campuses, which Khalil is accused of during his leadership roles in protests at Columbia. Yet to the Democrats, this consideration of national security translates into persecution of political enemies. The irony is almost too rich when one considers who they’re backing in this case.
Among the ranks of Senate Democrats, the talking points began pouring out. Claims of racial targeting and law enforcement overreach echoed in committee discussions, with the likes of Sen. Chris Murphy asserting that Khalil was “disappeared” for merely having an opinion contrary to that of the administration. As if expressing support for terrorist organizations while simultaneously inciting campus unrest should be celebrated instead of scrutinized. Perhaps the Democrats should focus on the true implications of waving flags in a campus protest rather than honing in on a supposed crime against free speech.
It’s almost comical if it weren’t so tragic. Democrats, fueled by Khalil’s wife’s heartfelt plea—who lamented that her husband was “kidnapped” only adds to the melodrama—are positioning themselves as defenders of an individual actively engaging in activities that threaten American values. As Khalil’s legal team pours over the details of his case, one can only assume the ongoing tug-of-war between national security and self-proclaimed righteous indignation will continue to serve as a delightful spectacle for conservatives who value real accountability over political posturing.
