Secretary of State Marco Rubio became defensive when ‘Face the Nation’ host Margaret Brennan asked him about the U.S. State Department’s decision to revoke the visa of a Columbia University student involved in protests against Israel. Homeland Security claimed that the protests were linked to Hamas, a terrorist group.
Rubio appeared on CBS’s Face the Nation to discuss various topics, including Russia, the war in Ukraine, and the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. The conversation also turned to the case of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia graduate student, whose visa was revoked after being involved in the protests.
Brennan asked Rubio whether there was any evidence to support the claim that Khalil had supported terrorism, or if the revocation was simply because of his political views.
“Can you substantiate any form of material support for terrorism, specifically to Hamas, from this Columbia student? Or was it simply that he was espousing a controversial political point of view?” Brennan asked.
Rubio responded, saying the decision was “very simple”. He explained that when someone applies for a visa to the U.S., they must make certain promises, including that they won’t come to the country to participate in activities like pro-Hamas protests, as that would conflict with U.S. foreign policy.
“Well, not just the student. We’re going to do more. In fact, every day now we’re approving visa revocations, and if that visa led to a green card, the green card process as well,” Rubio said. “When you apply to enter the United States and you get a visa, you are a guest. And in it, you have to make certain assertions. And if you tell us, when you apply for a visa, I’m coming to the U.S. to participate in pro-Hamas events, that runs counter to the foreign policy interest of the United States of America. It’s that simple.”
Rubio insisted that if someone stated they planned to participate in such activities, they wouldn’t be allowed to enter the country. He said that since Khalil had entered the U.S. and participated in these protests, it was clear he had lied on his visa application.
“So, you lied to us. You’re out. It’s that simple. It’s that straightforward,”
When Brennan pressed further, asking if there was any evidence of terrorism links, Rubio snapped back, telling her to “watch the news,” referring to the protests that had caused disruptions at universities.
“But is there any evidence of a link to terrorism, or is it just his point of view?,” Brennan asked.
Rubio snippily responded, “Yeah, they take over, I mean – do you not, I mean, you should watch the news. These guys take over entire buildings. They vandalize colleges. They shut down colleges.”
“We covered it intensely,” Brennan objected.
“Well then you should know,” Rubio shot back.
“I’m asking about the specific justification for the revocation of his visa — was there any evidence of material support for terrorism?” she asked, referring to the government’s statements that Khalil’s involvement with the violent protests against Israel, which shut down the university, was the basis for revoking his student visa.
Rubio argued that if Khalil had been upfront about his involvement in such activities when applying for his visa, he would never have been allowed in the U.S. in the first place.
“Well, this specific person was the spokesperson, was the negotiator,” he replied. “Negotiating on behalf of people that took over a campus? That vandalized buildings? Negotiating over what? That’s a crime in and of itself, that they’re involved in, being the negotiator, the spokesperson.”
The conversation became heated as Rubio accused those defending Khalil’s actions of being hypocritical, leading to a tense exchange before they ran out of time.
Watch the clip below from CBS News:
WATCH 🔴
Rubio: The deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of the Columbia University encampment, is just the beginning.
ABC: “Is there any evidence of a link to terrorism or is it just his point of view?”
RUBIO: “Sure! They take over, I mean, you should watch the news. These… pic.twitter.com/rgWl8PP5bt
— Open Source Intel (@Osint613) March 16, 2025
