Mahmoud Khalil, a recent Columbia University graduate and activist, was detained and disappeared by the Trump administration.

In a shocking turn of events, Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbia University, has become the first activist to be detained and disappeared by the Trump administration. Khalil, who played a key role in the protests against the Gaza genocide, was confronted by plainclothes Department of Homeland Security officers who claimed his visa had been revoked and attempted to deport him. When Khalil demanded a warrant, the officers showed him a picture of a document on their phone, which is not a valid form of warrant. His lawyer’s pleas for an actual warrant were ignored, and Khalil was abducted and taken to an undisclosed ICE detention center. The Trump administration’s decision to proudly own this disappearance indicates a disturbing trend of testing the American people’s reaction to such violations of constitutional rights.

The detention and disappearance of Mahmoud Khalil, a recent graduate of Columbia University and activist against the Gaza genocide, by the Trump administration is a deeply concerning and alarming development. It appears to be a deliberate test by the administration to gauge how far they can go in violating constitutional rights, and it serves as a test for us as citizens to see how strongly we will fight back. Khalil’s case highlights the erosion of unalienable rights in America and raises questions about the lack of response from both Columbia University and the Democratic Party. Their failure to take a strong stand against Khalil’s detention and disappearance is disappointing and calls into question their commitment to upholding constitutional rights. This incident should not be forgotten, and it is crucial that we continue to raise awareness and demand justice for Khalil and others who may face similar violations of their rights.