Trump's DOJ Assembles Task Force to Pursue 'Barbaric Hamas Terrorists'

The Justice Department has announced the creation of a new task force to target the Palestinian militant group Hamas, addressing the atrocities committed during the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel. This initiative, named Joint Task Force October 7, is dedicated to delivering justice for the victims of the brutal assault that claimed approximately 1,200 lives — including 47 U.S. citizens — and resulted in over 250 hostages, among them eight Americans.

Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the importance of holding those responsible accountable, stating, "The barbaric Hamas terrorists will not win — and there will be consequences." The task force will zero in on acts of terrorism, civil rights violations, and those who provided financial or logistical support to Hamas, along with related Iranian proxies and antisemitic groups.

Leading the charge is a senior counterterrorism prosecutor from the Justice Department’s National Security Division, supported by an FBI special agent as the task force commander and an FBI intelligence analyst as deputy commander. The team also boasts FBI agents, forensic accountants, data scientists, linguists, and analysts to investigate and prosecute terrorism cases both domestically and internationally. Notably, FBI agents will be embedded within Israel’s National Bureau of Counter Terror Financing to enhance coordination efforts.

The Justice Department has stated that the task force’s actions will build upon its ongoing investigations into the Oct. 7 attacks and amplify efforts to hold "Hamas supporters accountable." This announcement coincides with the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent anti-Israel activist at Columbia University. Khalil, a Palestinian raised in Syria and permanent U.S. resident, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 9.

Federal agencies, including Homeland Security and the State Department, are investigating Khalil as a potential national security threat. Officials revealed that Khalil’s social media contained "antisemitic and hateful" posts and tied him to organizing multiple antisemitic protests at Columbia. Homeland Security claims Khalil "led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization." Secretary of State Marco Rubio has declared that the administration will revoke green cards and deport Hamas supporters in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Khalil’s legal team is challenging these actions, arguing that ICE violated his constitutional rights. This case is likely to stir debates about national security versus civil liberties, and the broader implications for free speech surrounding politically charged activism.