The Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism was announced by the US Department of Justice within the first two weeks of the second presidency of Donald Trump. [1] Its initial priority was to "root out antisemitic harassment in schools and on college campuses." [1] It is led by Leo Terrell. [2] The Task Force cut funding to ten US universities the Trump accused of antisemitism, including Columbia University, Harvard University, the University of California, Los Angeles, and others with the Department of Justice, Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Education, and the General Services Administration as members of the action. [1] [3]
According to The New York Times , the Trump administration closely followed actions prescribed by Project Esther—a guideline for dealing with the Gaza war protests which it characterized as antisemitic—from the The Heritage Foundation, the think tank behind Project 2025. [4]
According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency , "at least eight individuals and organizations affiliated with Heritage’s National Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, launched last year under the Project Esther banner, have resigned or threatened to do so, citing Heritage president Kevin Roberts’ decision to stand by Carlson and his description of the television personality's critics as a 'venomous coalition.'" [5] In November 2025, the Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism severed ties with the Heritage Foundation. [6] [7]