Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a blistering rebuttal to Democrat Rep. Pramila Jayapal during a heated exchange over the revocation of student visas for foreign nationals who have engaged in pro-Hamas activism and violent campus unrest. While the liberal media and progressive lawmakers cry foul, Rubio made it clear: America will not tolerate foreign agitators abusing their student visas to spread hate, intimidate Jewish students, and destabilize universities.
Jayapal, a far-left progressive, accused Rubio of violating the First Amendment by revoking visas from students who participated in anti-Israel encampments and promoted extremist rhetoric. “Where in the Constitution does it say that the Secretary of State can override the First Amendment protections of free speech?” she demanded. Rubio fired back with a simple truth: “There is no constitutional right to a student visa. A student visa is a privilege… There’s a statute which says the Secretary of State gets to determine whether someone is a threat. We deny visas every day all over the world, and we’ll continue [to do so].”
The liberal media, ever eager to defend radical elements, has framed these visa revocations as an attack on free speech. But Rubio exposed their hypocrisy by emphasizing that foreign nationals like Rumeysa Ozturk—a Turkish student who openly supported Hamas in a Tufts University op-ed—are guests in America, not citizens. “If someone’s coming here to stir up problems on our campus, we’re gonna revoke their visa,” Rubio declared. “Yes, proudly, and we’ll do more. We’re gonna do more of them… I’m looking to get crazy people out of our country.”
Meanwhile, Jayapal tried to conflate the issue with South African refugees, but Rubio swiftly shut her down, explaining that refugees undergo a completely different vetting process. The Secretary of State has been unwavering in his stance, reiterating in a March 28 statement that the administration will not tolerate foreign radicals who “vandalize universities, harass students, take over buildings, [and] create a ruckus.”
This bold action aligns perfectly with President Donald Trump’s America First agenda, which prioritizes national security and the rule of law over the left’s obsession with coddling extremists. While the liberal media hyperventilates over so-called “free speech violations,” the Trump administration remains committed to protecting American students and ensuring that those who come to this country do so with respect for its laws—not to wage ideological warfare.
It is amazing that how many of the DEI/DNC Congress people can play leading rolls in Dumb and Dumber.
All democrats are mentally and intellectually unarmed Free speech to them is only the speech they agree with.
Our Secretary of State knows our Constitution and believes in holding the truth and safety of our Nation. Thank you Mr. Rubio.
Rep Jayapal is a left wing lunatic, free speech does not include inciting riots and using hate speech against American students on campus. She is a hate filled member of Congress who continually speaks out with distain about our country and people. Her one way attacks on our citizens is horrific. The people of her district obviously don’t love this country as the continue to elect her. Her rhetoric disgust me.