Horrifying attacks has Trump admin scrambling to secure the nation’s borders
A number of recent terrorist attacks have rocked the United States. There’s a massive national security issue to fix.
That’s why the Trump admin is scrambling to secure the nation’s borders.
America’s Jewish Communities Look to Trump for Protection Against Rising Terror
The United States is grappling with a surge in anti-Semitic violence, leaving Jewish communities and concerned Americans looking to the incoming Trump administration for decisive action to restore safety and curb terrorism. In just two weeks, two devastating attacks by fringe extremists have shaken the nation, part of an alarming 893% increase in anti-Semitic incidents over the past decade. According to the Anti-Defamation League, anti-Semitic attacks skyrocketed from 942 in 2015 to 9,354 in 2024, a trend that has sparked fear and urgency among vulnerable groups.
Much of this hatred manifests on college campuses and social media, where anti-Semitism often cloaks itself in pro-Palestinian activism. The Democratic Party’s reluctance to unequivocally condemn these acts, particularly when its younger base openly supports groups like Hamas, has left many Americans questioning the party’s commitment to combating this violence. The silence or tepid responses from some Democratic leaders have only deepened concerns about the nation’s ability to confront this growing threat.
The string of attacks began with a shocking act of arson at the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence, home to Governor Josh Shapiro, a Jewish Democrat. On April 13, 2025, Cody Balmer, a 38-year-old Pennsylvania man, hurled homemade Molotov cocktails at the residence while Shapiro and his family slept inside. The attack, which took place hours after a Passover Seder, caused significant damage but miraculously no injuries.
Balmer confessed to police, now facing charges of attempted m*rder, terrorism, and aggravated arson. Authorities are probing his motives, which appear tied to his expressed hatred for Shapiro, possibly linked to the governor’s Jewish faith or his stance on the Gaza conflict. In a 911 call after the attack, Balmer voiced concerns about what the governor “wants to do to the Palestinian people,” revealing a disturbing ideological underpinning to his actions.
Less than six weeks later, on May 21, 2025, tragedy struck again outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Two Israeli Embassy staff members, Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, were gunned down as they left an American Jewish Committee event focused on humanitarian aid and Middle East peace-building. The young couple, who were planning a trip to Israel and an engagement, were ambushed by Elias Rodriguez, a 31-year-old from Chicago.
Rodriguez used a 9mm handgun to fire multiple rounds, reloading and shooting again as Lischinsky and Milgrim fell. Security footage captured the chilling precision of the attack. After the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum, where he was initially mistaken for a bystander and offered water by attendees. He later confessed to police, shouting “Free Palestine” and stating, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza.”
The violence continued into June, with another brazen attack in Boulder, Colorado. On June 1, Mohamed Sabry Soliman threw Molotov cocktails at a peaceful pro-Israel rally, yelling “Free Palestine” as he acted. According to The New York Times, Soliman told investigators he wanted to “k*ll all Zionist people and wished they were all dead,” as documented in an FBI affidavit. His choice of Molotov cocktails stemmed from his inability to purchase firearms as a non-citizen with an expired work permit.
Soliman, who had overstayed a tourist visa, was granted a work permit under the Biden administration, which expired two months prior to the attack. Reuters reported that he spent a year planning the assault, driven by anti-Israel fervor. Todd Lyons, acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, confirmed Soliman’s immigration violations, raising questions about oversight and enforcement.
“If you think I’m exaggerating, here are the statistics.” — @Ayaan says it plainly.
🔺400% spike in antisemitic incidents in Europe after Oct 7
🔺500% spike on US college campuses10,000+ incidents in one year in the U.S. alone.
We’re witnessing a terrifying global surge.… pic.twitter.com/XmHenngQbG
— Ayaan Hirsi Ali Foundation (@AHAFoundation) April 22, 2025
The Democrat Party’s response to these attacks has been inconsistent, with some leaders hesitant to address the anti-Semitic motivations head-on. This reluctance is particularly stark among pro-Palestine members of Congress, whose silence or equivocation has frustrated Americans seeking clear condemnation of terrorism.
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., known for her anti-Israel stance, initially dodged reporters’ questions about the Capital Jewish Museum shooting. The following day, she posted on X, stating, “I am appalled by the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum last night. Holding the victims, their families, and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. Violence should have no place in our country.” Yet her delayed response and history of controversial remarks have fueled skepticism about her commitment to fighting anti-Semitism.
Other members of the so-called “Squad,” including Omar, Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., and Cori Bush, D-Mo., have faced criticism for their opposition to House Resolution 1449 in 2024, which called for global efforts to counter anti-Semitism. Tlaib’s 2023 censure by the House, following her use of the phrase “From the river to the sea” at a pro-Palestinian rally—a slogan widely recognized as a call for Israel’s destruction—further highlights the tensions within the Democratic Party.
The cultural shift among younger Democrats has drawn sharp commentary from figures like Bill Maher, who addressed the issue on his May 9, HBO show Real Time. Maher warned that the Democratic Party’s key constituency, its young voters, “not only don’t like their own civilization, they like the wrong one. They actually think Hamas is a liberation movement.” His critique resonated with Americans alarmed by the growing acceptance of anti-Israel rhetoric.
Maher pointed to an incident at an AOC-Bernie Sanders rally in Idaho, where a Palestinian flag was draped over an American flag, prompting cheers from the crowd. “What should have happened after that is one of the adults on stage should have told their young loyal followers, this is not a symbol of freedom. This is,” Maher said, displaying an image of the American flag. His words point to the need for leadership to challenge harmful ideologies within the party’s base.
Jewish communities and concerned citizens are turning to the Trump administration in desperation to end the violence. The administration’s past record of strong support for Israel and firm stance against terrorism offers hope to those feeling increasingly unsafe. Still, Americans are eager for policies that address the obvious issues that remain surrounding national security and protecting America’s Jewish communities and supporters of the Jewish communities.
Antisemitism is on the rise. @billmaher and I discussed the statistics on @RealTimers. 82% of Jewish Americans noticed an increase in antisemitism. More than 50% of Jewish student feel the need to hide their identity. And the FBI found antisemitic attack are up 16% across the… pic.twitter.com/3T3RJg0FK3
— Noa Tishby (@noatishby) March 21, 2023
Stay tuned to the DC Daily Journal.
