Imagine a school principal who acknowledges that bullying is “rampant” in their hallways, even admits students are being terrorized – then becomes outraged when someone suggests withholding funding until the problem is addressed. Such a response would raise serious questions about the principal’s priorities and judgment.
Welcome to the bizarre world of progressive politics, where acknowledging severe problems doesn’t necessarily mean supporting meaningful solutions.
Since October 7th, college campuses across America have become hotbeds of antisemitic activity. Jewish students at prestigious universities have reported feeling unsafe and targeted amid escalating protests and rhetoric. At Cornell University, students at the center for Jewish life reported feeling “terrified” after threats to “kill all the Jewish students” appeared on social media.
In response, the Trump administration launched investigations into universities for alleged civil rights violations and paused federal funding for institutions where antisemitism has flourished unchecked. Congressional Republicans, led by figures like Rep. Elise Stefanik, have held high-profile hearings questioning university presidents about campus antisemitism – hearings so damning they led to multiple resignations among university leadership.
Yet when asked about these accountability measures, New York Governor Kathy Hochul had a shocking response.
From ‘Breitbart’:
“It is absolutely despicable, threatening our educational institutions because they don’t teach the way you want them to,” Hochul said regarding the Trump administration’s decision to pull funding from Columbia and Cornell. She continued, “Now, people who criticize the antisemitism on our campuses are not wrong. It is rampant in ways that are shocking to me, especially after October 7.”
This remarkable statement deserves careful examination. In the same breath, Hochul acknowledges antisemitism is “rampant” on campuses while condemning efforts to use federal funding as leverage to protect Jewish students. She admits Jewish students at Cornell were “terrified” by death threats, yet calls accountability measures “absolutely despicable.” Is she serious right now?
When “Despicable” Means Accountability
Hochul’s position raises serious questions about Democratic priorities. She argues that these institutions are “laboratories of ideas” and that funding cuts could harm research for “vaccinations and cures for cancer.” But what about the Jewish students who can’t safely participate in academic life because of unchecked antisemitism?
The Trump administration’s position is straightforward: institutions that receive taxpayer dollars should maintain basic standards of safety for all students, including Jewish ones. This isn’t about controlling what universities teach – it’s about ensuring they protect vulnerable students from harassment and threats.
Meanwhile, congressional Republicans have expanded their scrutiny of elite institutions, launching investigations into tuition pricing at Ivy League schools. House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan and others have expressed concern that these same institutions appear to “collectively raise tuition prices while engaging in price discrimination.” Let’s not forget – these are the same universities charging students $60,000+ per year while sitting on billion-dollar endowments.
The Real Cost of Progressive Priorities
The hypocrisy is breathtaking. Hochul claims to “stand with the Jewish community” while simultaneously defending institutions that have failed to protect Jewish students from harassment and threats. She acknowledges the problem exists but finds accountability measures more objectionable than the antisemitism itself.
What kind of leadership prioritizes institutional funding over student safety? What message does this send to Jewish families whose children face intimidation on campus? I can’t help but wonder – would Hochul be this outraged if the Trump administration cut funding over any other civil rights violation?
If a school allowed death threats against any other minority group to flourish, would Governor Hochul still find funding cuts “despicable”? Or is there a progressive hierarchy where some victims matter more than others?
One thing is clear to me: taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to fund institutions that allow antisemitism to flourish unchecked. If universities want federal dollars, they should be required to maintain basic standards of safety and civility for all students. Is that really too much to ask?
Like our hypothetical principal who objects to consequences more than the bullying itself, Governor Hochul has revealed where her priorities truly lie. When progressive institutions are at risk of losing funding, apparently even “rampant antisemitism” isn’t enough justification for meaningful accountability. That’s not just disappointing – it’s a profound moral failure of leadership.
Key Takeaways
- Governor Hochul acknowledges “rampant” antisemitism while opposing accountability measures for universities.
- The Trump administration paused funding to institutions that failed to protect Jewish students from harassment and threats.
- Taxpayer dollars should come with basic expectations that all students, including Jewish ones, are protected from intimidation.
- Progressive leaders appear more concerned about protecting institutional funding than ensuring student safety.
