Moulton Statement on Detention of Mahmoud Khalil

Salem, Mass. -- Congressman Moulton issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration's detention of Columbia University grad student Mahmoud Khalil: 

“Make no mistake: the views expressed by Mahmoud Khalil’s organization, Columbia University Apartheid Divest, are abhorrent. They celebrated the October 7th attacks—the mass murder and rape of civilians by a terrorist organization with genocide written into its charter—as a “crowning achievement” and “the very essence of what it is to resist ‘with what we have.’”

But this is America, not Russia, China, or Iran. The First Amendment is the cornerstone of American liberty. The Trump administration has so far not provided any concrete evidence that Mr. Khalil has committed a crime, and he should be afforded the same due process as any other green card holder. Deporting people because the Administration disagrees with their views is what dictatorships do, and America will never win by adopting the values of our adversaries. 

Weak leaders treat political opponents as the enemy. Great nations live up to their values even when it’s uncomfortable to do so.”