SYRACUSE, N.Y. (TND) — Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., say Syracuse University should lose its federal funding after a convicted killer was found staying at an anti-Israel encampment on its campus.
An encampment of over 70 tents has taken over Syracuse’s Quad in protest of the school’s refusal to condemn Israel in its war with Hamas terrorists. Individuals occupying the encampment have allegedly been witnessed “following Jewish students that walk past the tent encampment in an attempt to harass them.”
The National Desk reported last week convicted killer Eural Warren was staying in the encampment despite being unaffiliated with the university. Students expressed concerns to administration, leading to Warren’s arrest Friday.
The senators told TND the situation is all the more reason to pass the Stop Antisemitism on College Campuses Act, which they introduced last year. The measure would strip federal funding from schools that "authorize, fund or facilitate events that promote violent antisemitism."
It is an outrage that a convicted murderer is embedded with the Pro-Hamas encampment at Syracuse University,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., said. "Colleges have a responsibility to educate and protect their students, and Syracuse has not taken any action despite repeated warnings. We should defund colleges that peddle antisemitism and glorify acts of terrorism.”Warren, who was arrested by Syracuse University police on Friday, was convicted of manslaughter in New York in 1996.
Sen. Tim Scott, R- S.C. explained the bill aims to hold university administrators accountable for their students’ actions.
Universities and administrators across the nation have put students’ lives at risk by allowing their campuses to descend into anarchy,” he told TND. “If caving to an antisemitic mob wasn’t bad enough, Syracuse took it a step further by not acting immediately to remove a violent criminal from campus. Keeping students safe should be each school’s top priority. Refusing to do that should cost them every last dime of their federal funding.”Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., told TND the school had neglected its duty to keep its students safe by allowing Warren to be there.
“Syracuse University’s leadership is sacrificing the safety and security of its student body to the pro-Hamas mob allowing illegal antisemitic encampments including a convicted felon guilty of a brutal murder,” the New York Republican said. “Despite students' concerns, Syracuse University unfortunately decided that pandering to self-proclaimed terrorists is more important than Syracuse students. This is unacceptable, Syracuse University President Kent Syverud must protect campus immediately.”
Also reacting to the news was Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., who called for intervention at the encampment from the National Guard.
Now we’ve got convicted killers on the loose in these encampments,” Sen. Hawley lamented via X. “Jail the lawbreakers. Expel the students. Deport the illegals. Send in the Guard.”Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., in a repost of TND’s reporting via X, said the school must act to combat those in the encampment.
“What is the highest principle facing the SU community right now?” he asked. “Students denied a graduation ceremony from HS due to COVID must now be allowed a peaceful college commencement. It’s time to deescalate and decamp—clear out disrupters and usurpers!”
Syracuse University did not respond to a request for comment from The National Desk Monday.
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