FMEP Legislative Round-Up June 27, 2025

Resource

1. Bills, Resolutions
2. Letters
3. Hearings & Briefings
4. Selected Members on the Record
5. Selected Media & Press releases/Statements

New from FMEP:

Also see:

Also – reminder – The annual Christians United for Israel Summit [“Together, we will make Israel stronger and her people safer as we obey the Biblical mandate to bless God’s Chosen“] will take place in DC June 29 – July 1, including lots of lobbying Congress [“visit your elected officials on Capitol Hill with other constituents from your state to advocate for Israel and the Jewish people.“] Watch the intro video to the summit here (these folks pull no punches in telling the world who they are and what they are doing — people would do well to pay attention/believe them).

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1. Bills & Resolutions

War Powers Act

(NO US ARMED FORCES INVOLVEMENT IN IRAN WAR) S. J. Res. 59: Introduced 6/16/25 by Kaine (D-VA), “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.”  This week S. J. Res. 59 loomed over the Senate, with the Senate expected to vote on the measure on Friday afternoon (June 27 – after this Round-Up was published). Note: three substantive amendments were introduced to the measure (below).

  • (PRAISING US MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAN) S. Amdt. 2356 to S. J. Res. 59: Introduced 6/24/25 by Cruz (R-TX), to add to S. J. Res. 59 [introduced 6/16/25 by Kaine (D-VA), “A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran that have not been authorized by Congress”] an additional finding, reading: “Members of the United States Armed Forces and intelligence community, and all those involved in the planning and successful execution of Operation Midnight Hammer on June 21, 2025, including President Donald J. Trump, should be commended for their efforts in a successful mission.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.  Also see: Cruz amendment to Senate war powers resolution seeks to praise Trump’s Iran strikes [“The Texas Republican introduced the amendment in anticipation of a vote later this week on the resolution, which would curtail the president’s ability to take any additional action targeting Iran without congressional approval”] (Jewish Insider 6/25/25)
  • (DO NOT WORRY – WAR POWERS ACT WOULDN’T LIMIT TRUMP’S ABILITY TO WAGE WAR OR TO PROVIDE CONTINUED UNCONDITIONAL, UNLIMITED SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL TO DO SO) S. Amdt. 2357 to S. J. Res. 59: Announced 6/24/25 – Sens. Schiff [D-CA], Kim [D-NJ], Kaine [D-VA] Announce Amendment to War Powers Resolution to Underscore Continued U.S. Assistance for Israel’s Self-Defense After Repeated Attacks by Iran. Amendment reads: “Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the United States from– (1) defending against an attack on the United States or its personnel or facilities in other nations; (2) collecting, analyzing, or sharing intelligence, including with the State of Israel and other nations and international organizations as appropriate, related to threats from the Islamic Republic of Iran or its proxies; or (3) assisting the State of Israel and other nations– (A) in taking defensive measures to protect their territory from retaliatory attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran or its proxies; or (B) by providing defensive materiel support for such defensive measures.“
  • (IRAN IS BAD!) S. Amdt. 2359 to S. J. Res. 59: Offered by Slotkin (D-MI), to add to the resolution – “(7) The Government of Iran is a leading state sponsor of terrorism and has repeatedly engaged in a range of destabilizing and malign activities across the Middle East and around the world. (8) These actions include harassment and direct threats to United States personnel, kidnapping and detention of United States citizens and dual nationals, support to proxy forces attacking United States personnel and interests, cyberattacks against United States infrastructure and entities, and the continued enrichment of uranium close to levels that could be used to develop a nuclear weapon and beyond what is necessary for any conceivable civilian purposes.“

Media:

Re: Iran, Iran-Israel, & Trump

(THREE CHEERS FOR TRUMP’S MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAN!) S. Res. 307: Introduced 6/26/25 by Cornyn (R-TX) and 14 Republican cosponsors, “A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate in support of the recent United States and Israeli military strikes on Iran.“ Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: Cornyn, Senate GOP Colleagues Introduce Resolution Supporting Operation Midnight Hammer – Senators Say President Trump Worthy of Nobel Peace Prize

(ATTACKING OBAMA’S NOBEL PRIZE & THE JCPOA, & CALLING FOR TRUMP NOBEL PRIZE FOR MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAN) S.Res.305 [resolution text]: Introduced 6/25/25 by Moreno (R-OH), “A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate concerning the nomination of President Donald John Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. Also see: press release –Moreno to Call on Senate to Formally Nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize

(REMOVE US FORCES FROM HOSTILITIES WITH IRAN) H. Con. Res. 40: Introduced 6/23/25 by Meeks (D-NY), Smith (D-WA) and Himes (D-CT), “Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran.” Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Also see: press release – Meeks, Smith, Himes Introduce War Powers Resolution to Cease U.S. Hostilities on Iran; Democratic efforts to block Trump war powers to continue despite Iran ceasefire  (Jewish Insider 6/24/25)

(IMPEACH TRUMP FOR ILLEGALLY WAGING WAR ON IRAN) H. Res. 537: Introduced 6/24/25 by Green (R-TX), “Impeaching Donald J. Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors.” The resolution states, among other things: “President Trump’s unilateral, unprovoked use of force without congressional authorization or notice constitutes an abuse of power when there was no imminent threat to the United States, which facilitates the devolution of American democracy into authoritarianism, with an authoritarian president who has instigated an attack on the United States Capitol, denied persons due process of the law, and called for the impeachment of federal judges who ruled against him– making Donald J. Trump a threat to American democracy.“ Considered by the full House 6/24/25 (privileged resolution), defeated by a bipartisan vote of 344-79 (all Republicans plus 128 Democrats voting “no”). Also see: Scott (D-VA) – Scott Statement on Vote to Table Impeachment Resolution; Moulton (D-MA) – Vote Explainer — H. Res. 537 Impeaching Donald J. Trump

Targeting Antisemitism, and Also Free Speech/Protest/Civil Society

(DEFINING CRITICISM OF ISRAEL AS ANTISEMITISM IN CIVIL RIGHTS LAW) HR 4087: Introduced 6/23/25 by Moore (R-AL), “To provide a definition of antisemitism for the enforcement of covered civil rights laws.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and the Committee on Education and Workforce.
(TARGETING CAIR WITH FTO DESIGNATION) HR 4097: Introduced 6/24/25 by Fine (R-FL), “To direct the Secretary of State to review whether the Council on American-Islamic Relations meets the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization, and for other purposes.”  Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: press release – Congressman Randy Fine Introduces a Bill to Designate CAIR as a Foreign Terrorist Organization [excerpt: “Last year, Congressman Fine passed a similar bill in Florida, H.R. 1209, that ordered all executive agencies of the State of Florida, law enforcement agencies, and local governments to suspend their relationship with CAIR.“]; EXCLUSIVE: New Bill Would Aim to Brand Major Muslim Group a ‘Foreign Terrorist Organization’ (Daily Signal 6/24/25)
(CONDEMNING “ANTISEMITIC ATTACKS” IN THE US) S. Res. 296 (resolution text): Introduced 6/23/25 by Lankford (R-OK) and 8 bipartisan cosponsors, “A resolution condemning antisemitism and recent antisemitic attacks in the United States.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: Bipartisan Senate resolution condemns recent antisemitic attacks (Jewish Insider 6/24/25)
Rewarding/Incentivizing Normalization with Trade Deals
(TRADE AGREEMENTS LINKED TO ABRAHAM ACCORDS) S. XXXX: On 6/26/25, Sen. Cantwell (D-WA) announced “a plan to introduce legislation to authorize the administration to pursue negotiations of a trade agreement with the Middle East during a roundtable forum hosted by the Washington International Trade Association (WITA). The agreement would be focused on the information communications technology supply chain.” More: “I will be introducing legislation to authorize the negotiations of a Middle East trade agreement, an agreement focused on information communication technology. It was built upon what Senators McCain and Baucus introduced 22 years ago to create a Middle East trade preference program in support of the U.S.-Middle East free trade area. I happened to travel to that area with them to talk about this. The legislation that I’m considering would have requirements that partner countries join the Abraham Accords, normalize diplomatic relations with Israel, support reconstruction of Gaza, join in the efforts to support nuclear nonproliferation, and coordinate strong export controls. I think these are the approaches that we should be taking in alliance-building.”
Support the US at the UN, or Else
(NO US AID TO COUNTRIES THAT OPPOSE US POSITIONS AT THE UN) S.  2170 [bill text]: Introduced 6/25/25 by Blackburn (R-TN), “A bill to prohibit United States assistance to foreign countries that oppose the position of the United States in the United Nations.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. This is the House version of HR 1243, introduced 2/12/25 by Davidson (R-OH) and 2 cosponsors (both Republican). Also see: Blackburn Introduces Legislation to Ensure U.S. Foreign Aid Recipients Cannot Undermine America’s Interests. It has been introduced many, many times in the past in various forms, including: H.R.2120  (1993), H.R.1054 (1999), H.R.1302 (2001), H.R.4558 (2005), H.R.2509 (2007), H.R.4636 (2010), H.R.921 (2011), H.R.4237 (2017). As a reminder, in 2017 Trump threatened to implement this policy in response to objections to his move to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
Other stuff

(TARGETING THE HOUTHIS) HR 1998: Introduced 3/10/25 by Jackson (D-IL) and having 4 bipartisan cosponsors, the “Sanction Sea Pirates Act of 2025.” Considered under suspension of the Rules 6/23/25 and passed (as amended) by a vote of 392-14. Includes under “findings”: ” (3) Houthi attacks against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since the Hamas terrorist attack against Israel on October 7th have impacted global shipping markets” and  “(4) There has been a surge in Somali pirate attacks, beginning in the fall of 2023 and lasting into 2024, that has coincided with and taken advantage of Houthi aggression.” Also see: House Passes Congressman Jonathan L. Jackson’s Sanctioning Sea Pirates Act to Protect Global Commerce and U.S. Security

(TUNISIA/ARAB SPRING) S. Res. 310: Introduced 6/26/25 by Durbin (D-IL) and 4 Democratic cosponsors,  “A resolution recognizing Tunisia’s leadership in the Arab Spring and expressing support for upholding its democratic principles and norms.” Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.

(BAR EX-USG OFFICIALS FROM LOBBYING FOR COUNTRIES OF CONCERN) S. 2132: Introduced 6/18/25 by Cornyn (R-TX) and 3 bipartisan cosponsors, “A bill to amend title 18, United States Code, to prevent and mitigate the potential for conflicts of interest following government service, and for other purposes” aka “the Conflict-free Leaving Employment and Activity Restrictions (CLEAR) Path Act.” Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. Also see: press releases 6/25/25 – Cornyn, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Mitigate Foreign Influence on U.S. Policymaking; Risch, Cornyn Introduce Clear Path Act to Mitigate Foreign Influence on U.S. Officials

2. Letters

(SEEKING DE-NATURALIZATION & DEPORTATION OF NYC PRIMARY WINNER ZOHRAN MAMDANI) 6/26/25: Rep. Ogles (R-TN) posted on X: “Zohran ‘little muhammad’ Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York. He needs to be DEPORTED. Which is why I am calling for him to be subject to denaturalization proceedings. Attached is my letter to @AGPamBondi.” The letter suggests that Mamdani is guilty of “affiliations or sympathies” [with terrorists] that he hid from the US government at the time of his naturalization, based on a line in a rap — which Ogles suggests signals a direct affiliation with people whose organization was designated as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) in 2001, when Mamdani was 10 years old (leading to a trial that ended in convictions in 2008, when Mamdani was 17 year old) — and for refusing to denounce the phrase “globalize the intifada.” Letter text – page 1, page 2]. Also see: ‘Investigate Zohran Mamdani if he concealed…’ Rep Andy Ogles writes to DOJ, says his rap lyrics were problematic (Times of India 6/26/25). See section 4, below, for more from Ogles on Mamdani.

(CONGRESS MUST BE KEPT INFORMED) 6/26/25: Congressman Krishnamoorthi Demands Trump Administration Follow the Law, End Reported Plan to Withhold Intelligence from Congress Following Iran Strikes [letter text]

(TARGETING SCHOOLS FOR ALLEGED ANTISEMITISM – THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING!) 6/26/25: Chair Walberg Continues Investigation into Antisemitism at DePaul, Haverford, and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Following May 7 Hearing [Letters: DePaul University, California Polytechnic State University (San Luis Obispo); Haverford College]. Also see: Congress has more questions for Cal Poly president about antisemitism on campus (The Tribune 6/26/25); House Education Committee asks for more information from colleges after hearing (Jewish Insider 6/26/25)

(EU MUST NOT DO ANYTHING TO HOLD ISRAEL ACCOUNTABLE UNDER ITS OWN AGREEMENTS WITH THE EU REGARDING INTL LAW) 6/24/25: Schneider, Bilirakis Oppose Downgrade of EU-Israel Agreement (letter text – dated 6/20/25)

(VETERANS IN CONGRESS: CONGRESS HAS WAR POWERS AUTHORITY) 6/23/25: Congressman Pat Ryan Leads Fellow Democratic Veterans in Asserting Congressional Authority Over War Powers [letter text]

(RE-CONVENE HOUSE TO DEAL WITH MIDDLE EAST SITUATION) 6/20/25: As President Trump Is Saber Rattling, Thompson Leads Letter Demanding Congress Reconvene to Address Evolving Situation in the Middle East [letter text]

(CONCERNS ABOUT GAZA “HUMANITARIAN” MECHANISM) 6/20/25: Warren Demands Answers on Trump’s Potential Contract with Shadowy Humanitarian Group, Urges More Aid to Gaza Through Responsible Partners [letter text]

(CONCERNS ABOUT OUTRAGEOUSLY INTRUSIVE SOCIAL MEDIA CHECKS ON VISA APPLICANTS) 6/18/25: Sens. Markey (D-MA), Wyden (D-OR), Van Hollen (D-MD), Welch (D-VT), and Booker (D-NJ) sent a letter [letter text] to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem opening with: “Recently, the State Department and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have sought to expand the role of social media screening in consular and immigration decisions. This policy change threatens to weaponize online speech against immigrants and foreign nationals, granting government officials broad and ill-defined authority to penalize individuals for their expression. Social media posts — often taken out of context and stripped of nuance — are an unreliable basis for such high-stakes determinations. Moreover, the government has never identified any evidence that these screenings help protect national security. In practice, this enhanced social media review appears designed to chill dissent, discriminate against particular viewpoints, and punish individuals for speech the Administration finds objectionable. We urge you both to immediately reverse this latest Trump administration attack on visitors to the United States and immigrants…” Later the letter notes: “…although we strongly oppose antisemitism in all forms, the Administration’s heavy focus on antisemitism on college campus may create implicit pressure on career employees to reject any student visa applicant who has posted any pro-Palestinian content on social media. In so doing, the directives seem designed to punish speech that the Administration dislikes and create fertile ground for abuse and discrimination.”

3. Hearings & Briefings

June 24, 2024: Trump administration officials were supposed to brief members (classified) of the House and Senate on the U.S. military action against Iran — reportedly the briefers were to have included Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine. The Trump Administration subsequently postponed the briefings, reportedly to enable Secretary of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio can participate. Speaker Johnson (R-SC) posted on X 6/24/25 that the reason was “ongoing developments in the Middle East” and later that day posted, “I have just confirmed with the White House that the classified bipartisan briefing for all House Members will now be held on Friday. Senior Administration officials will present the latest information pertaining to the situation involving Israel and Iran. Details to follow.” Subsequently the briefing took place for Senators on 6/26/25, with briefing for House members scheduled for 6/27/25. Also see:

June 24, 2024: The House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight held a hearing entitled, Rising Threat: America’s Battle Against Antisemitic Terror (video). Witness were: Kenneth Marcus, Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (testimony); Dan Schneider, Media Research Center (testimony); Debra Cooper, End Jew Hatred and Jewish Advocacy Research and Writer Group (testimony) and Mathew Nosanchuk, listed as “Practitioner in Jewish community” (testimony). Also see:

4. Selected Members on the Record

Once again — too much re: Iran-Israel & Iran-Trump & Iran/Israel-Trump ceasefire to cover. Check members’ websites and social media accounts to see what anyone said/didn’t say.

Targeting (and to a much lesser extent, defending) Zohran Mamdani

  • Tlaib (D-MI), Omar (D-MN), Carson (D-IN), Simon (D-CA) 6/27/25: X-post – “Our joint statement on the vile, anti-Muslim, racist attacks on Zohran Mamdani: The vile, anti-Muslim and racist smears coming from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle attacking Zohran Mamdani cannot be met with silence. These hateful, Islamophobic, and racist tropes have become so entrenched and normalized in our politics. We know these attacks well. At a time of increased violence against elected officials, we cannot allow the attacks on Zohran Mamdani to continue. They directly contribute to the ongoing dehumanization and violence against Muslim Americans. We unequivocally reject the normalization of anti-Muslim hate and fearmongering and call on elected leaders across our country to speak out.” Zeteo’s Mehdi Hasan commented: “The four Muslim members of Congress have put out a statement condemning the Islamophobic attacks on Mamdani. But it shouldn’t just be on the Muslim electeds. Where is Hakeem Jeffries? Where is Chuck Schumer? Where is the caucus? Shame on any Dem elected who is silent on this.“
  • Ogles (R-TN) 6/27/25: X-post – “LISTEN: Zohran ‘Little muhammad’ Mamdani dropped this rap just a year before becoming a U.S. citizen. In it, he says he ‘loves’ five men who were convicted of funneling $12 million to Hamas terrorists through the Holy Land Foundation. He also raps, ‘Build the wall—we’ll make it fall.’ This public embrace of convicted Hamas conspirators before naturalization raises serious questions: Did Mamdani disclose these views during his naturalization interview? Did he lie on his N-400 citizenship application? If someone lies during the naturalization process—especially about support for terrorists—they should be denaturalized and deported.“
  • Torres (D-NY) 6/26/25: X-post (in response to Rep. Ogles’ letter calling for Mamdani to be denaturalized and deported) – “It is no secret that I have profound disagreements with Zohran Mamdani. But every Democrat — and every decent person — should speak out with moral clarity against the despicable Islamophobic attacks that have been directed at him. Demanding the deportation of an American citizen simply because he is Muslim — or simply because he holds political views different from your own — is not only bigoted. It is profoundly unAmerican. Bigotry in every form should be rejected unequivocally.”
  • Gillibrand (D-NY) on the Brian Lehrer show 6/26/25 (transcribed by DropSite News): “…it doesn’t matter what meaning you have in your brain, it is not how the word is received. And when you use a word like Intifada, to many Jewish Americans and Jewish New Yorkers, that means you are permissive for violence against Jews. It is a serious word. … And I would be very specific in these words, and I would say you may not use them again if you expect to represent everyone ever again because they are received as hateful and divisive and harmful. … It is why Jewish students have felt that their schools did not have their backs and cared about them or their learning, because the people doing these protests use words that have meanings that are far more violent and horrific than they may have intended. … But when you hear things like Intifada, when you hear things like Jihad, when you hear ‘from the river to the sea,’ it is received as ‘slaughter the Jews and destroy Israel,’ period. It’s how it’s received. … And if you talk to any group—you talk to our LGBTQ community, you talk to our Black community, you talk to our Hispanic community—there are words and there are imagery and there are things that are said that they will hear it and feel it as a dagger to their throat. … And so, if you want to be a leader, you have to recognize how these things are felt and received, and saying there should be no word police is irresponsible. Because as a leader, you have to protect, you have to protect everyone, period.” Drop Site commented: “Senator Kirsten Gillibrand insists that pro-Palestinian protesters should not use words like ‘intifada,’ or ‘from the river to the sea’—not because of what those words mean, or how they’re intended, but because of how some supporters of Israel, or ‘Jewish Americans,’ choose to interpret them. Gillibrand makes clear she believes that pro-Palestinian voices must be policed if certain special listeners feel offended—even if that offense is rooted in political bias, deliberate misinterpretation, or support for Israeli state violence. The meaning of the words, she says, is irrelevant. Intent doesn’t matter. Only the reaction of one group counts. She ends by claiming, with no hint of irony: ‘Because as a leader, you have to protect everyone, period.’”
  • Ogles (R-TN) 6/26/25: X-post – “Restoring The Republic 39: Iran [explosion emoji] BOOM-boom [explosion emoji], BBB[“!?” emoji] deport Mamdani [“!!” emoji]
  • Ogles (R-TN) 6/26/25: X-post – “Bye bye, little muhammad! If you lied on your N-400 naturalization forms, you’re going home.” [accompanied by openly racist/Islamophobic pic including the words “Deport Zohran”]
  • Ogles (R-TN) 6/26/25: X-post – “DEPORT little muhammad!” [with video clip of Zohran Mamdani]
  • Ogles (R-TN) 6/25/25: X-post – “This is Jihado-Communist Democrat mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s actual SoundCloud rap. In his track ‘Salaam,’ he praises a group that funneled money to Hamas. This isn’t art—it’s jihadist propaganda.“
  • House Committee on Education and the Workforce (GOP) 6/25/25: X-post – “Mamdani falsely equates antisemitic slogans like “globalize the intifada”—a call for the mass execution of Jews—to a call for human rights. His election would undoubtedly enflame the antisemitism running rampant in our schools—and spilling onto our streets.”

Mahmoud Khalil/Free Speech

  • Hunt (R-TX) 6/23/25: X-post – “ALERT: Just DAYS after a federal judge orders the release of Mahmoud Khalil he throws an anti-Israel rally at Columbia. Khalil is NOT a legal citizen yet a federal judge has granted him the position to continue spewing anti-American rhetoric.“
  • Balint (D-VT) 6/23/25: X-post – “After 104 days, Mahmoud Khalil is free. Despite Donald Trump and Marco Rubio’s illegal efforts, the First Amendment lives another day.”
  • McGovern (D-MA) 6/21/25: X-post – “Mahmoud Khalil should never, ever have been detained. @SenMarkey, @RepPressley and I went to see him in April and have continued to advocate for his release. We must not stop fighting until no person is jailed for simply exercising their First Amendment rights.“
  • Ramirez (D-IL) 6/21/25: X-post – “For more than three months, Mahmoud Khalil was a prisoner of this administration, solely because he dared to dissent. Today, he is finally back with his family and newborn. May this be a reminder to the administration that we are not giving up on our constitutional rights nor our neighbors. We will fight back.“
  • Jayapal (D-WA) 6/20/25: “Today’s judicial ruling that Mahmoud Khalil had to be released from ICE detention is a critical step on the road to justice. Mahmoud Khalil will finally be reunited with his wife and newborn baby, whose birth he missed while unjustly detained by the Trump Administration for more than three months. His detention has been a stain on our immigration and justice system in this country: an attack on the constitutional free speech protections guaranteed to every single person in our country, utilizing the immigration system to prevent him from engaging in this constitutionally protected political speech. In this case, as in several others, we see the Trump Administration is continuing to simply target people of all legal statuses, including legal permanent residents and even U.S. citizens, simply for disagreeing with their administration in any way. That is not American and is a gross violation of all of our fundamental rights. Every single person in America should understand that if this Administration can do this to Mr. Khalil, they can do the same thing to you. Today, I celebrate with Mahmoud Khalil and his family. There is more work to do to bring full justice to this situation, and to stop the attacks on so many across this country.”
  • Schneider (D-IL) 6/20/25: X-p0st – “Though I completely disagree with Mahmoud Khalil and think many of his arguments against Israel are not only wrong, but dangerous, he is entitled to due process before the law, and like anyone else, entitled to be considered innocent until proven guilty. The Constitution protects the rights of all Americans, and all people living under its jurisdiction. It is the founding document that not only defines the way we govern ourselves, but I believe is the primary source of our nation’s greatness.” REMINDER: Khalil has not been charged with any crime, so crying “innocent until proven guilty” entirely misses the point (and adding it to a statement suggesting that criticism of Israel is “dangerous” suggests sympathy/support for targeting Khalil for exercising free speech…).
  • Velazquez (D-NY) 6/20/25: X-post – “The Trump admin jailed Mahmoud Khalil for over 3 months, not because he committed a crime but because he exercised his free speech rights. His ongoing detention was a threat to the civil liberties of all Americans. I’m relieved he’ll finally be reunited with his family.”
  • Nadler (D-NY) 6/20/25: X-post – “I welcome today’s decision directing the release of Mahmoud Khalil. As I have said before, his prolonged detention—without charges—is a chilling, McCarthyesque action in response to the exercise of First Amendment rights to free speech and raises serious constitutional concerns. While I do not agree with all of the content of Mr. Khalil’s protected speech, we must protect these rights even and especially of those who exercise protected speech we disagree with. The court’s decision today affirms the principles of due process and civil liberties that must remain at the core of our country’s values and rule of law. Today’s decision is a welcome rebuke of the Trump Administration’s weaponization of antisemitism for their own political gain. Indeed, as I have said, if the Trump White House were serious about rooting out antisemitism in America, they should start with their own Administration.“
  • Lee (D-PA) 6/20/25: X-post – “I look forward to the day Mahmoud Khalil is returned home to his wife and meets his newborn son after this administration illegally detained him.“
  • Pressley (D-MA) 6/20/25: X-post – “Free Mahmoud Khalil. Now.”
  • Larson (D-CT) 6/20/25: X-post – “This was the right decision. The Trump Administration has no right to silence someone’s speech because they disagree with what they said. In the United States of America, everyone is entitled to due process under the law.”
  • Tlaib (D-MI) 6/20/25: X-post – “Mahmoud Khalil is finally free! He was targeted solely for speaking out against U.S.-backed genocide. His release is a victory for everyone fighting for our First Amendment rights, our immigrant neighbors, and Palestinian freedom.“
  • Jacobs (D-CA) 6/20/25: X-post – “Mahmoud Khalil will finally be free after being wrongly detained for over 3 months. No matter if you agree with Khalil or not, the First Amendment protects his speech and he shouldn’t be jailed for his views.”
  • Hunt (R-TX) 6/20/25: X-post – “BREAKING: Federal judge orders NON-U.S citizen Mahmoud Khalil to be freed from ICE detention. Khalil was arrested for promoting pro-Hamas RIOTS at Columbia University. These judges need to realize that they do NOT hold more power than the President.”

Other stuff

  • Walberg (R-MI) 6/26/25: Chairman Walberg Speaks at March for Jewish Civil Rights [excerpt – “…We have seen college protestors wave signs with slogans like, ‘Anti-Zionism does not equal antisemitism’ to justify hostile intimidation of Jewish students and faculty…”].  Note: this was the March on Washington for Jewish Civil Rights (originally scheduled for 6/24/25); promoted to what appear to be tiny audiences on X (90 followers) and Facebook (42 followers). Note that no major, mainstream Jewish organizations are listed as sponsoring or taking part in the event, but Ralph Reed’s “Faith and Freedom coalition” is, along with a rag-tag group of small pro-Israel, anti-woke, and evangelical Christian-Jewish Zionist groups.  Based on the absence of any photos or reporting from the day of the event (other than Walberg’s press release), one might suspect that very few people actually showed up.
  • Ramirez (D-IL) 6/26/25: X-post – “I am proud to stand in solidarity with advocates for peace in Chicago, who are on day 11 of a hunger strike to demand an end to the deadly military campaign Israel’s government has waged on Gaza. We must challenge policies that destroy life, take a first step toward accountability, and pass the Block the Bombs Act to stop the transfer of U.S. military weapons to Israel.“
  • Cotton (R-IN) 6/26/25: X-post – “I condemn the unlawful and partisan leak. Wherever it came from, no one is above the law.” Commenting on Free Beacon article – Classified Report That Suggested Iranian Nuclear Program Still Intact Likely Relied on Faulty Info From Iranian Sources, Former Intel Officers Say
  • Tenney (D-NY) 6/26/25: Loooooooong X-post opening with “I twice nominated President Donald J. Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize & why I’ll do it again until he is awarded this much deserved honor...”
  • Durbin (D-IL) 6/26/25: X-post – “My Senate colleagues and I met with Israeli Ambassador, Michael Leiter. Amid the Israel-Iran conflict, the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and the continued holding of Israeli hostages by Hamas, it was timely to discuss a long-term vision for stability and peace in the region.” Also see: Durbin, Senators Meet With Israeli Ambassador To The U.S.
  • Ernst (R-IA) 6/25/25: X-post – “It is disgusting for a Georgetown professor to cheer for an Iranian attack on our brave servicemembers and call for more harm to Israel.   Antisemitic campus crazies continue to have a shameful obsession with supporting Iran and its terrorist proxies.“
  • Lucas (R-OK) 6/25/25: X-post – “At today’s NATO summit, @POTUS displayed to the world America’s renewed and rightful place as the dominant global superpower. He delivered peace to a region plagued by conflict, leant needed support to our friends in Israel, and instilled fear in our adversaries. I thank President Trump for his continued legacy of peacebuilding and for reinforcing that peace through strength is a necessary component of American foreign policy.”
  • Schneider (D-IL) 6/24/25: SCHNEIDER RETURNS FROM MIDDLE EAST TRIP FOCUSED ON ABRAHAM ACCORDS AMID ISRAEL – IRAN CONFLICT [“The trip was organized and sponsored by the N7 Initiative, a partnership between the Atlantic Council and the Jeffrey M. Talpins Foundation which is focused on advancing US interests by strengthening cooperation between the United States, Israel, and Arab and Muslim countries.“]
  • Kean (R-NJ) 6/24/25: X-post – “It was great to meet with the NJ Jewish Business Alliance (NJJBA) this afternoon. We discussed the rise in antisemitism, strengthening U.S.-Israel relations, and how we can grow a stronger, more competitive economy that supports Main Street and drives American & NJ business forward. Thank you to the NJJBA for making the trip to Washington!“
  • Crapo (R-ID) 6/23/25: Weekly Column: We Must Combat Antisemitism In All Its Forms [but focused 100% on post-10/7/23 developments related to Palestine protest]
  • Senate Judiciary Committee (GOP) 6/20/25: SCOTUS Unanimously Upholds Grassley Law to Secure Justice for American Victims of PLO Terrorism
  • Cantwell (D-WA) 6/18/25: Floor speech on TikTok [including: “In December 2023, Rutgers University found that TikTok’s algorithm disproportionately amplified anti-Israel and, by extension, antisemitic content compared with other social media platforms. This amplification observed in the context of a major geopolitical events, such as the portrayal of the Israel-Hamas conflict, and such hashtags, “I stand with Israel” or “Pray for Israel,” were unrepresented. That means they weren’t represented at a ratio of six to one. According to the Jewish Federation of North America, individuals on TikTok for over 30 minutes a day were 17% more likely to be antisemitic. And last year, antisemitic comments on TikTok rose 912%. My fear is that a similar study would show that in between the issues that we do think are legitimate businesses on TikTok, that there is a bias and anti-American content being pushed about even the current hostilities now in Iran.“

5. Selected Media

Mamdani’s NYC Primary Win

Rallying Support & Manufacturing Consent for: Trump Joining Israel’s War with Iran, for Israeli Attacks on Iran, for Trump Ceasefire, for stoking suspicion/hatred of Iranians & Muslims in the US:

Opposition/Concern Over Trump Joining Israel’s War with Iran (in many cases over not consulting with Congress, rather tha opposition to bombing Iran)

Trump & Friends Target Rep. Massie

Accusing Schumer of Failing the Jews & Israel

Other stuff