Schumer and Jewish Senators Slam Trump for Using Antisemitism as Excuse to Target Top Colleges

Five Jewish Democratic senators are demanding answers from President Donald Trump after he threatened to strip funding from Harvard, its medical school, and other universities, all under the banner of fighting campus antisemitism.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, along with Adam Schiff, Jacky Rosen, Brian Schatz, and Richard Blumenthal, blasted Trump in a joint letter. While they didn’t downplay the seriousness of antisemitism, they made it crystal clear: they think Trump is using the issue as cover to punish institutions that don’t share his views.

"We write regarding your administration's assault on universities," the letter starts, criticizing Trump’s threats to withhold money or otherwise penalize schools in what he calls an effort to combat antisemitism. They pointed out that, as Jewish senators, they’ve spoken out against antisemitism themselves—especially after the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel.

The senators described Trump’s move to freeze funding as "broad and extra-legal attacks," saying they’re "troubled and disturbed" by his approach. They argued his actions are less about curbing hate and more about going after people and places that oppose him ideologically. Not exactly subtle, right?

When it comes to Harvard, the senators said that threatening the school’s tax-exempt status and trash-talking faculty as "woke, radical left idiots" has nothing to do with protecting Jewish students, but everything to do with exerting political pressure.

They accused Trump of trying to change how universities operate, claiming his penalties have nothing to do with fighting antisemitism and everything to do with undermining vital institutions. Their message: stop hiding behind real issues to push a political agenda.

Still, the group held out a hand to work with Republicans in fighting antisemitism—but made it clear they see Trump’s actions as just another way to attack his opponents.

They want the president to provide detailed explanations by next week: why were certain colleges targeted? What specific incidents justified the funding freeze? And why are Harvard and its medical school—known for cancer research, no less—in the crosshairs?

They also questioned the legality of Trump’s moves, pointing out that most legal scholars say he’s on shaky ground.

Separately, Adam Schiff shared that he’s been personally targeted by antisemitic attacks, especially online, and called the state of college campuses "terrifying." Jacky Rosen, meanwhile, has introduced the Antisemitism Awareness Act alongside Republican Tim Scott, emphasizing that Congress must step up to fight hate on campuses.

Brian Schatz, a likely contender for a top Senate leadership spot, tweeted last year that criticism of Israel isn’t antisemitism, and that wanting to stop Hamas isn’t Islamophobia. "Wanting to protect civilians is neither," he added—before joking he might delete the tweet if the comment section got too wild. Gotta love a senator with meme anxiety.

Schumer himself recently published a book, "Antisemitism in America: A Warning," sharing his own experiences and concerns about the rise of hate.

Richard Blumenthal summed up the group’s message on social media, calling antisemitism "a real & horrific threat on campuses"—but warning it shouldn’t be used as an excuse to silence dissent or target universities.

The White House responded, with spokesperson Taylor Rogers insisting Trump "has done more to fight anti-Semitism and preserve free speech than any other president in American history." Rogers promised the administration would keep pushing back against campus antisemitism and protect free speech.