Today, the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center (OUA) met with senior leaders of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to discuss ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish communities across the United States as part of its two-day Mission to Washington. The meeting included Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy Aaron Reitz, and Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division Leo Terrell.

Administration officials underscored their commitment to use a wide array of tools to address and prosecute antisemitic hate crimes, ensure enforcement of civil rights protections, and safeguard Jewish Americans’ ability to live, worship, and study free from discrimination.

“The Trump administration’s Department of Justice has wasted no time in investigating and prosecuting antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head,” said Nathan Diament, Executive Director of the Orthodox Union Advocacy Center. “We deeply appreciate the administration aggressively taking on rising antisemitism. We’re especially grateful for the time senior officials gave our group and their willingness to consider our input and suggestions. They are sending a clear message to Jew-haters that they will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”

Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, highlighted the DOJ’s full-throated, all-of-government approach to combating antisemitism:

“On February third, we launched an antisemitism task force, with its first priority being to root out antisemitic harassment in schools and on college campuses. We’re using all the tools available to us across the federal government. Our work includes investigations, litigation, and withholding federal funding from entities not complying with the law. We’re also working closely with the FBI and national security agencies to track foreign funding that’s exacerbating antisemitism on campuses and in communities.”

Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights, Leo Terrell, emphasized the DOJ’s unwavering commitment to fighting hate:

“There’s no room for complacency in this fight. Harmeet Dhillon never sleeps—she’s texting at midnight, driving us forward every single day. This is a 24/7 fight. We’re all in, and we’re not backing down. I’ve been a civil rights attorney for 30 years, and I’ve seen it all. The previous administration did nothing to protect Jewish Americans, but this time it’s different. We are using every single tool in the toolbox. If you think this is just talk, you’re wrong. We are going to use litigation, case-by-case strategies, and whatever it takes to protect Jewish Americans from hate. This fight is all of ours. You want action? Report it to us, and we’ll move on it immediately. We’re not stopping until this scourge is gone.”

Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy, Aaron Reitz, detailed the various tools being deployed by the DOJ to combat antisemitism:

“We are using a wide array of legal tools to address antisemitic hate crimes and discrimination. The Church Arson Prevention Act allows us to prosecute those who deface, damage, or destroy religious property based on its religious significance. We’re also using federal criminal statutes against hate crimes, Fair Housing laws to prevent discrimination, and statutes designed to prevent land use discrimination. Our goal is to ensure full legal protection for Jewish communities everywhere.”

The OUA is encouraged by the DOJ’s dedication to combating antisemitism and looks forward to ongoing collaboration to ensure that Jewish Americans can enjoy full protection under the law.

(YWN World Headquarters – NYC)