Wasserman Schultz says Trump poses larger threat to American values than Islamic jihad

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., said on NewsNation's On Balance on Tuesday that President Donald Trump poses a greater threat to the American way of life than radical Islamic jihad, a claim she linked to concerns over democracy and antisemitism in the wake of a deadly attack against Jewish worshippers in Sydney.

During the interview, Schultz argued that discussions about threats to American values should begin with the person occupying the White House, saying, “we have a president …” when host Leland Vittert pressed her on whether Islamophobia or jihad represented the bigger risk. Vittert pressed back, and Schultz acknowledged the gravity of antisemitism while insisting the problem is not limited to a single lens. She contended that Trump has “completely undermined our democracy” and that his leadership would be a factor in widening threats to democratic principles.

Schultz went on to say that while antisemitism is rising, it is a problem that intersects with issues across demographics, including “many young White men” as well as Islamic extremists. She argued that oversimplifying the problem as solely radical Islam ignores broader threats and undermines efforts to protect Jewish communities and other religious institutions from hate-fueled violence. She also asserted that Trump’s actions since leaving office have helped embolden antisemitism, citing a 2022 dinner with White nationalist Nick Fuentes as part of her criticism.

“I want a president who actually walks the walk as much as he talks the talk,” Schultz said. “I want a president that makes sure that we restore the nonprofit security grant funding that protects Jewish institutions and other religious institutions from attacks like we’re talking about here. I want a president who isn’t closing down divisions that investigate discriminatory conduct and antisemitic attacks.”

In a response to Fox News Digital, a White House spokesperson dismissed Schultz's assertion as the product of “Trump Derangement Syndrome,” calling the claim outlandish and insisting that, after recent jihadist attacks, no sane person should hesitate to condemn radical Islamic terrorism. The White House statement attributed the criticism to political bias rather than policy disagreements.

Sixteen people, including one gunman, were killed during a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney on Sunday, with about 40 people hospitalized in the attack. An Israeli flag was photographed among memorials near Bondi Pavilion as the city mourned the victims. The incident has amplified debates in the United States about antisemitism and the best ways to protect Jewish institutions, as lawmakers consider funding and security measures.

Schultz’s remarks come as US political discourse intensifies around how to characterize threats to democracy and national security, with some leaders urging a broad, nonpartisan approach to counter extremism while others challenge how those threats are framed in relation to the current administration. The conversation underscores ongoing concerns about how rhetoric from political figures may influence public perception and policy responses to antisemitism and other forms of extremism.