Rep. Troy Carter Statement on Tulane University and Free Speech
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02) issued the following statement on the targeting of Tulane University by the Musk-Trump Administration and their assault on the First Amendment Right to free speech:
“As I previously stated, I remain deeply troubled by the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who was detained without a warrant—a move that should have no place in a democratic society like the United States. His arrest represents a violation of his personal rights and a broader, dangerous trend of political repression that threatens the very foundation of free speech.
“Mahmoud’s arrest comes at a time when 60 institutions, including Tulane University in New Orleans, have been targeted by the Department of Education under accusations of failing to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment. Make no mistake, I will not tolerate the abuse or harassment of any students. Unfortunately, I can’t say the same for the Musk-Trump Administration. Many of the targeted schools are striving to protect students’ rights to free speech and foster open dialogue.
“Tulane University, where many students engage in debate and peaceful protests, has been accused of not taking sufficient action by this administration. Let me be clear—antisemitic, anti-Black, or any remark disparaging creed, color, or faith in any form is never acceptable, but it is also essential that we protect the fundamental right of every student to express their beliefs freely. It is imperative that the government does not use the guise of protecting one group to undermine the rights of another.
“I stand firmly against the misuse of federal power to suppress free speech. I am committed to protecting the rights of all individuals and will continue to push back against any effort that undermines the Constitution. The Department of Education’s actions against universities like Tulane must not be allowed to set future precedent. We must defend the rights of all students to express their beliefs and participate in political discourse, free from the threat of government retaliation.
“Our focus should be on protecting students from harassment, whether antisemitic, anti-Black, anti-Arab, or any other form of hate. I call on the Musk-Trump Administration to do the job you were supposedly elected to do, to address the economic concerns of the American people. Egg prices are still skyrocketing and the stock market is crashing. Do better.”
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