Trump Signs New Executive Order to Expand Protections Against Anti-Semitism on College Campuses

In January 2025, former President Donald Trump signed a new executive order, “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism,” building on his 2019 Executive Order 13899. The updated directive tasks federal agencies—including the Departments of Education, Justice, State, and Homeland Security—with reviewing and reporting within 60 days on what civil and criminal actions they can take to address anti-Semitic discrimination in educational settings. It also calls for recommendations on how to better monitor and report on foreign students and staff at universities who might fall under U.S. immigration inadmissibility laws.

Trump’s 2019 order had already expanded how Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was interpreted, extending protections to Jewish students by treating certain forms of anti-Semitic discrimination as racial or national origin bias. Although Title VI doesn’t explicitly cover religion, the order adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, which includes some types of criticism of Israel.

The 2025 executive order comes in response to what Trump officials describe as a rise in anti-Semitic incidents following the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. The new directive pushes federal agencies to step up enforcement efforts and consider actions against institutions that tolerate or promote anti-Semitic behavior.

These moves have reignited debate over how to balance the fight against anti-Semitism with protecting free speech, especially when it comes to criticism of Israeli government policies. Supporters say the orders are critical to ensuring the safety and dignity of Jewish students. Critics argue the measures could threaten free expression, particularly open discussions about Middle East politics.