There is a direct relationship between radical Islamic successes and the recruitment of jihadists, domestically and abroad. When radical Islam suffers losses in the courts, in the realm of public opinion and on the battlefields of the Middle East, their membership suffers. This is key to their defeat. Therefore, the left’s acquiescence to Islamists in the name of “tolerance” is directly proportional to Islamist gains. Herein lies the solution to this quagmire, and President-elect Donald Trump and the Republican Party seem to understand this well.
Under Trump and the GOP, the United States has adopted a decisive strategy to combat antisemitism and radical Islam. Congressional initiatives spearheaded by figures like Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), combined with Trump’s unwavering condemnation of Hamas and Iranian-backed proxies, demonstrate moral clarity and a steadfast stance against Islamism. It marks a sharp departure from the policies of the previous administration. The contrast between the Biden-Harris administration’s strategies of appeasement and Trump’s firm resistance to kinetic and cultural jihad—the gradual infiltration of radical Islamic ideologies into Western societies—is stark.
While the progressive left often dismisses religion broadly, it has displayed an inexplicable tolerance for radical Islam, emboldening jihadist elements in the United States and the West. This has contributed to the erosion of Western cultural norms and values as educational institutions and mainstream media increasingly abandon the belief in American exceptionalism and primacy of Judeo-Christian principles.
At its core, Western civilization is rooted in the enduring principles of Judeo-Christian values. Yet this foundation has been deeply shaken by a “slow jihad” that has flourished under the guise of tolerance. Many Democrats and much of our media dismiss legitimate critiques of radical Islam as Islamophobia, bigotry and racism, stifling meaningful discourse and leaving Western culture vulnerable to gradual subversion.
Tragically, the first day of 2025 brought with it a horrific example of radical Islamic terror. A U.S. Army veteran unabashedly displaying an ISIS flag from a rental truck easily defeated improvised barriers and rammed into the teeming French Quarter in New Orleans, killing 14 people. The actions of the alleged attacker, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, are the most recent example of domestic recruitment by jihadists, in this case, ISIS. This appears to be yet one more heartbreaking example of homegrown jihad that may never have occurred if U.S. leadership crushed rather than coddled radical Islam.
Trump promises to continue the GOP’s unrepentant approach to combating jihad and antisemitism. This need for such leadership, already evident during his first term, was reinforced during the widely televised congressional hearings on antisemitism at Ivy League schools in December 2023. They exposed the alarming inability or unwillingness of university leaders to acknowledge or condemn blatant antisemitism on their campuses. The public reaction to these revelations has been one of shock and awakening, highlighting the urgent need for action to counter radical Islamic ideology among youth and faculty.
Trump’s legacy includes expanding protections against antisemitism in federally funded educational institutions and redefining antisemitism to include certain forms of anti-Israel sentiment. His first administration implemented travel restrictions targeting countries identified as breeding grounds for Islamist extremism. While these measures faced criticism, they were positioned as essential to protecting national security and countering jihadist infiltration.
Tackling antisemitism and radical Islam abroad
Europe is grappling with significant challenges as antisemitism rises and radical Islamist ideologies gain traction. In countries like France, Germany and the United Kingdom, Jewish communities increasingly face violent attacks and growing hostility. The impact of radical Islam extends far beyond antisemitism. Muslim communities in major Western European cities struggle with assimilation and too often advocate for the adoption of Islamic laws and cultural practices that conflict with the values of their host societies. This dynamic has contributed to expanding “no-go zones” where local law enforcement faces significant challenges in maintaining control. These zones further isolate young Muslims, perpetuating a vicious cycle of alienation and radicalization. High-profile incidents like the Paris riots, the Brussels bombings and the London Bridge attack highlight the need for action.
Israel is the West’s first line of defense against radical Islam, so Trump’s unequivocal support for Israel further demonstrates his commitment to preserving Western culture. Key achievements in his support of Israel include relocating the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, recognizing the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, and brokering the Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations. Trump is messaging his intent to enthusiastically continue supporting Israel in its defensive, justified, and, so far, very successful war against Iran and its proxies. These actions not only strengthen U.S.-Israel ties but also showcase a path towards regional stability through decisive leadership.
A transatlantic partnership, led by America and rooted in firm opposition to radical Islam and antisemitism, will reverse the gains made by extreme Islamists in the United States and abroad. It will also deny a quarter to young, impressionable Muslims who will no longer be emboldened by the West’s apparent capitulation to jihadists’ efforts. Trump’s policies emphasize rejecting jihadist ideologies while fostering integration and inclusion for Muslim communities willing to embrace democratic values. In recognition of this, many in the American Muslim community supported Trump for president. This balanced approach serves as an antidote to the progressive left’s tolerance of Islamist extremism, which has allowed these ideologies to gain a foothold. By prioritizing firm opposition to radical Islamism in all its forms alongside support for genuine inclusion, a united front can safeguard democratic principles while buying the West time to address the root causes of Islamic extremism.
The Trump anti-jihad effect offers a beacon of hope for a Western civilization under siege by radical Islam and antisemitism. Trump’s policies, grounded in moral clarity and decisive action, aim to dismantle these movements’ ideological and cultural threats. By resisting the progressive left’s pro-Islamist sentiment in America and countering unfettered immigration from radicalized regions of the world, Trump’s approach provides a blueprint for safeguarding the Judeo-Christian values that underpin Western society.