Trump admin blocked from deporting Tufts PhD student Rumeysa Ozturk after ICE arrest in Boston
New York PostMAR 27
US State Dept. Found No Terror Links in Tufts Student Case
Above: A protester at the Gaza march in Washington, D.C., holds a photo of Turkish Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk on April 5, 2025. Image copyright: Rabia Iclal Turan/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
The U.S. government's detention of Rumeysa Ozturk, despite a lack of evidence of antisemitism or terrorism, signals a chilling return to McCarthy-era tactics. Masked ICE agents abducting a student for criticizing Israel, stripping her hijab, and denying medical care reveal censorship and brutality not seen in decades. This Zio-McCarthyism targets dissent to shield Israel's actions, eroding free speech and religious freedom under the guise of security.
Right narrative
The U.S. isn't censoring dissent or echoing McCarthyism; it's combating a surge in left-driven political violence. From violent antisemitism on campuses to the recent arson attack on Jewish Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro's home, the left's rhetoric—backed by figures like AOC and Biden—normalizes this violence. The nation is facing enough homegrown threats, and the government has no obligation to coddle foreigners who wish to fan the flames.