Joel Griffith, policy advisor at Advancing American Freedom, joined guest host Chris Krok on Chicago’s Morning Answer to discuss rising global antisemitism, the threat posed by Iran and its allies, and the role elite American universities may be playing—willingly or not—in enabling extremist ideologies.
The conversation began with a recent display at the Glastonbury Festival in the UK, where a performer led thousands of attendees in chanting slogans Griffith described as not just anti-Israel, but explicitly antisemitic and violent. Chants such as “From the river to the sea” and “Death to the IDF” were highlighted, with Griffith emphasizing that such rhetoric isn’t merely provocative—it’s a call for the destruction of Israel and its citizens. He noted that nearly all Israelis, including Arab citizens, serve in the Israel Defense Forces, meaning such chants target an overwhelming majority of the country’s population.
Griffith argued that radical Islamism and far-left socialism have formed a dangerous ideological alliance, united by a shared disdain for Western values such as individual liberty, free markets, and freedom of conscience. He connected this to what he sees as an intentional effort to undermine those values through the influence of foreign regimes like Iran and Qatar. These countries, he claimed, are not only funding terror groups like Hezbollah but also investing billions into American academic institutions. According to Griffith, that money has supported professorships and programs designed to indoctrinate students against their own country and in some cases, against Jews.
Turning to elite campuses, Griffith was highly critical of the leadership at Columbia University and Harvard. He referenced recent reporting that Columbia’s current president previously supported efforts to remove a Jewish board member in favor of an Arab replacement following the October 7th Hamas attacks—an event Griffith called the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. He called for the president’s removal, saying a resignation would be “too dignified” for such conduct.
Griffith further argued that universities are violating federal civil rights laws by allowing targeted harassment and even violence against Jewish students. He cited examples such as students being trapped in libraries, assaulted, or harassed on campus—all of which he categorized as criminal behavior rather than protected speech. According to Griffith, such actions should disqualify institutions from receiving federal funding, including through student loan programs.
Griffith also voiced strong support for recent Trump campaign proposals to revoke student visas from foreign nationals who support or organize pro-terrorist demonstrations. He emphasized that non-citizens in the U.S. do not have the same speech protections as citizens, especially when advocating for terrorist causes or engaging in criminal conduct.
Throughout the conversation, Griffith returned to a core theme: that antisemitism has become normalized in elite spaces—both abroad and at home—and that stronger legal, political, and cultural responses are necessary to confront it. He praised efforts by lawmakers and former Trump administration officials to crack down on this behavior, insisting that financial accountability and immigration enforcement are crucial tools in the fight.
The interview concluded with a call to action. Griffith urged Americans to remain vigilant about the ideological threats facing the country and to recognize the danger of allowing antisemitic and anti-American narratives to take root, especially in places tasked with educating the next generation of leaders.