In the aftermath of a violent and targeted assault on a group of peaceful pro-Israel demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, former U.S. President Donald Trump issued his first official response on Monday, denouncing the incident as an “act of terrorism” and squarely blaming the country’s immigration system under President Joe Biden for the tragedy.
The incident, which took place on Sunday, left at least eight people injured, some of them critically, after the attacker launched a makeshift flamethrower into the crowd. Witnesses reported that the attacker shouted “Free Palestine” during the assault, heightening suspicions that the act was motivated by hatred toward the Jewish community.
The accused, Mohamed Sabry Soliman, a 45-year-old Egyptian national, was taken into custody and later charged with a federal hate crime. Authorities stated that Soliman had entered the United States on a B2 tourist visa in August 2022, which expired in February 2023. Although he applied for asylum later that year and was granted a temporary work permit, that too expired in March 2025, after which he remained in the country illegally.
According to law enforcement, Soliman admitted to harboring anti-Zionist and violent extremist views, allegedly telling police that he “wanted to kill all Zionist people and wished they were all dead.” Investigators also revealed that Soliman had been planning the attack for over a year.
Trump’s Strong Response
Donald Trump, speaking through his own conservative social media platform, made it clear that such acts would not be tolerated if he were in office.
“Yesterday’s horrific attack in Boulder, Colorado, WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in the United States of America,” Trump wrote.
“Acts of Terrorism will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law. This is yet another example of why we must keep our Borders SECURE, and deport Illegal, Anti-American Radicals from our Homeland. My heart goes out to the victims of this terrible tragedy, and the Great People of Boulder, Colorado!”
Trump’s comments emphasized his longstanding position on border security and immigration reform, and he took direct aim at the Biden administration’s handling of immigration cases, calling for an immediate return to the policies in place during his presidency.
“He must go out under ‘TRUMP’ Policy,” Trump stated, referring to the suspect’s expired visa and asylum application.
DHS and Legal Action
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed on Monday that Soliman was indeed in the country illegally at the time of the attack. His B2 visa expired more than a year ago, and while he had temporary work authorization due to his asylum claim, that too lapsed earlier this year. Despite this, he was not detained or deported.
A senior DHS official revealed that Soliman was able to exploit loopholes in the immigration system, a factor that Trump’s allies argue is part of a broader national security failure.
The FBI has officially labeled the incident as a potential “act of domestic terrorism.” Boulder Police, however, stated that the motive is still under investigation, even though the suspect’s actions and statements suggest clear antisemitic intent.
White House and DOJ Reaction
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, in a media interaction outside the White House on Monday, defended the administration’s stance on immigration but acknowledged the need for reform.
“These individuals are going to be deported, and we’re not going to tolerate such violence in our country,” she said.
When pressed about the President’s message to the Jewish community, Leavitt stated:
“We have seen two horrific cases of antisemitic violence in our country in the last two weeks, and it is unacceptable to this President and this White House. Rest assured, to all Jewish Americans across our great country — this President has your back.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi also weighed in, issuing a stern warning to perpetrators of hate crimes:
“The Department of Justice has swiftly charged the illegal alien perpetrator of this heinous attack with a federal hate crime and will hold him accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Our prayers are with the victims and our Jewish community across the world.”
Read Also – Boulder Flamethrower Attack on Pro-Israel Supporters Sparks Terror, Hate Crime Probes
Rising Concern Over Antisemitic Violence
This latest attack is being seen in the larger context of a rise in antisemitic incidents across the U.S., prompting renewed calls for action, especially from conservative lawmakers who believe the country’s asylum system is being abused by bad actors.
Jewish advocacy groups and civil rights organizations have called for heightened security measures at all community events, particularly those expressing support for Israel or commemorating Jewish history.
Political Implications
Trump’s remarks highlight a central theme of his 2024 presidential campaign: restoring national security through immigration reform. His supporters believe that this attack, along with recent border security concerns, could become a pivotal issue in the upcoming elections.
Political analysts note that while the former president focused extensively on immigration and terrorism, he did not directly address antisemitism in his statement—a point some critics were quick to highlight. Nevertheless, Trump’s response has resonated with conservative voters who view immigration control as key to preventing such violent incidents in the future.
