On June 24, 2025, the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives (the “Subcommittee”) held a hearing titled, “Rising Threat: America’s Battle Against Antisemitic Terror.” The hearing lasted approximately two hours and featured four witnesses: (1) Kenneth Marcus, Founder and Chairman, Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law and former Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education; (2) Dan Schneider, Vice President, Free Speech, Media Research Center; (3) Debra Cooper, Chief of Digital Activism, End Jew Hatred and Jewish Advocacy Research and Writer Group; and (4) Mathew Nosanchuk, former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Operations and Outreach in the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education.

Below are the key takeaways from the hearing:

• Members from both parties voiced concern about the rise of antisemitism in the United States, particularly on college and university campuses. Majority members primarily argued that these institutions and their faculty are responsible for fostering or failing to address antisemitism, while Minority members emphasized what they viewed as the Trump administration’s shortcomings in effectively responding to antisemitism.
• The hearing focused on certain phrases that Majority members described as forms of intimidation directed at Jewish students, faculty and staff. The Majority contended that universities have permitted such rhetoric on campus; that universities may be in violation of federal civil rights laws, including Title VI; and that universities should lose federal funding for failing to take meaningful action to protect Jewish students.
• The hearing also covered student organizations and protests, with a particular focus on Students for Justice in Palestine (“SJP”). Majority members called for investigations into SJP chapters, alleging that the group has ties to Hamas.
• DEI programs were another focal point, with Majority members contending that such initiatives serve as a cover for excusing and perpetuating antisemitism.
• Witnesses suggested, and Majority members agreed, that pro-Palestinian organizations and protests may be coordinated and funded by foreign entities.
• Minority members argued that both the Majority’s and the Trump administration’s efforts to address antisemitism lack sincerity, pointing, in part, to the administration’s decision to cut funding and personnel for federal civils rights enforcement.

The authors thank summer associate Matthew West for his contributions to this publication.

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