Republicans demand FBI investigates Columbia student groups over antisemitic threats: 'Do your job'

Congressional Republicans on Monday sent a letter to FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Dennehy, demanding an investigation into a coalition of student groups making antisemitic and anti-Israel threats.

The letter comes after the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) rescinded an apology last week that was issued in the spring on behalf of a student who claimed, among other things, that Columbia school officials should be "grateful that I’m not just going out and murdering Zionists." 

The group has also intensified its rhetoric recently, saying, "where you've exhausted all peaceful means of resolution, violence is the only way forward," per USA Today.

New York GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik and Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst sent a letter urging a federal investigation into the statements before any potential violence occurs.

"In light of the considerable violence occurring for which this group is already responsible, and Columbia University’s inability and unwillingness to police its own campus, necessitating it to request that the [New York Police Department] intervene, federal intervention is now necessary," the lawmakers wrote. "The time to act is now. Rarely has the FBI had such public and obvious evidence of potentially imminent violence."

"This cannot become another instance in which a terrible case of violence takes place at a school and the FBI issues a statement after the fact that the perpetrators were 'on its radar,' but did nothing," the Republicans continued. "Put simply, the writing is on the wall and you have no excuse. Do your job."

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage