A GOP lawmaker on the House’s Homeland Security Committee is spearheading a hearing on the growing antisemitic violence in the U.S., in response to recent attacks in Boulder, Colorado, and Washington, D.C. The hearing, scheduled for June 11, comes as the chairman of the committee’s counterterrorism and intelligence subcommittee, Rep. August Pfluger of Texas, has condemned the rising wave of anti-Israel terrorism, calling these incidents part of a disturbing pattern rather than isolated events.
Pfluger described the attacks as evidence of a larger threat, including the arson of the Jewish governor of Pennsylvania and the heinous execution of two Israeli Embassy staffers in the nation’s capital. He emphasized the need for the U.S. to remain a bastion of freedom for all, ensuring that Jewish citizens can live free from hatred and persecution. Pfluger’s concerns are not new; he has previously introduced legislation aimed at countering online radicalization and terrorist activities, including the Countering Online Radicalization and Terrorism Act, which seeks to require the Department of Homeland Security to conduct annual assessments of the threat posed by terrorist groups like ISIS and Hamas through foreign cloud-based messaging platforms. This bill has garnered bipartisan support, with Democratic Rep. Jimmy Panetta of California serving as a co-sponsor.
The hearing will also feature Kerry Sleeper, the deputy director of the Secure Community Network, a leading Jewish security organization in North America. Sleeper oversees the 24/7 operations of the National Jewish Security Operations Command Center, which collaborates with agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. The hearing follows several recent events, including the killing of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, D.C., and a mass injury event in Boulder, where a suspect allegedly used a makeshift flamethrower during a pro-Palestinian protest. These attacks have prompted lawmakers and intelligence officials to sound alarms about the growing risk of foreign terrorists entering the U.S. and conducting attacks against American citizens.
Rep. Mike Turner, R-Ohio, and House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, R-Tenn., have previously highlighted the dangers posed by potential terrorists entering the country, noting the release of nearly 1,000 illegal immigrants on the terrorist watch list under the Biden administration. The FBI’s former Director, Christopher Wray, also warned about the risks of foreign terrorists exploiting U.S. borders to carry out attacks on American citizens. With the U.S. facing an increasingly complex threat landscape, the hearing aims to address these challenges and ensure appropriate measures are in place to protect national security and combat antisemitic violence.