Justice Department probes Columbia protests for terrorism violations

The U.S. Justice Department is investigating student protests at Columbia University related to the Gaza war for potential violations of federal terrorism laws. This inquiry also includes possible civil rights violations linked to the demonstrations. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that the investigation aligns with efforts to address antisemitism in the U.S. He mentioned that the department is reviewing Columbia's response to previous incidents as well. Additionally, federal law enforcement executed a search warrant related to a separate investigation into whether Columbia University sheltered undocumented immigrants on its campus.