At the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Attorney General Pam Bondi asserted that international students on visas participating in anti-Israel protests and threatening American students should be deported. Speaking alongside Senator Ted Cruz and radio host Ben Ferguson on the "Verdict with Ted Cruz" podcast, Bondi emphasized the need for student safety. She stated that these disruptive individuals should face consequences for their actions.

Attorney General Pam Bondi with Sen. Ted Cruz at CPAC (Getty Images)

Bondi, recently sworn in as attorney general, characterized enforcing the law as a fundamental duty. She criticized the nature of the anti-Israel protests, arguing that they were not peaceful demonstrations. She drew a comparison to other protests, suggesting that differing standards are applied based on political viewpoints. Bondi specifically highlighted the violence associated with the anti-Israel protests.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrator at Columbia University (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The 2024 anti-Israel protests across U.S. college campuses saw incidents such as the takeover of Columbia University's Hamilton Hall and encampments at institutions like UCLA, Harvard, and Yale. Protesters demanded divestment from Israel. The demonstrations coincided with a rise in antisemitism and Jewish students expressing concerns about their safety.

Protest and damage at Columbia University (Getty Images)

Following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, campus antisemitism intensified through protests, graffiti, and reports of Jewish students feeling threatened. At some universities, including Columbia, Jewish students were advised to leave campus for safety reasons.

Attorney General Bondi at CPAC (Getty Images)

Bondi expressed concern about the politicization of the Department of Justice under the previous administration. She highlighted her efforts to address this issue through executive orders aimed at ending what she termed the "weaponization" of the department. Bondi also noted positive feedback from DOJ employees regarding her leadership and their desire to focus on combating crime.