CNN’s attempt to clean up Mahmoud Khalil’s image blew up on live television when the former Columbia protester repeatedly refused to condemn Hamas—even when handed multiple chances. Hosts Pamela Brown and Wolf Blitzer looked stunned as Khalil deflected every time he was asked about the October 7 massacre.

It was an awkward moment for CNN, which had previously reported sympathetically on Khalil’s legal battle after ICE detained him in March. A federal judge later ordered his release, which critics blasted as politically motivated and dangerous.

Trying to salvage the narrative, Brown pressed Khalil three separate times. Her first attempt was straightforward: “Do you specifically condemn Hamas, a designated terrorist organization in the United States?”

Khalil dodged. “I condemn the killing of all civilians,” he replied before pivoting to blame Israel and accuse CNN of selective outrage. Even when Brown reminded him that Trump’s administration had identified him as a Hamas sympathizer, Khalil refused to give a direct answer, instead calling condemnation questions “hypocritical.”

His evasiveness didn’t go unnoticed. In fact, it prompted a swift and brutal response from the Department of Homeland Security.

“Mahmoud Khalil refuses to condemn Hamas because he IS a terrorist sympathizer,” DHS wrote on social media. “He ‘branded’ himself as an antisemite through his own hateful behavior and rhetoric.”

The agency went on to defend Trump’s decision to detain Khalil, calling it “well within its statutory and constitutional authority.” DHS emphasized that America has no obligation to harbor foreign nationals who glorify terrorists, promote violence, or harass Jews.

The Trump administration had already moved to freeze all student visas for foreign nationals pending enhanced background checks—a policy widely criticized by the left at the time. But cases like Khalil’s are now fueling calls for even stricter scrutiny of student activists who exploit their visa status to push radical ideologies.

Despite the outrage from progressive media and immigration activists, DHS isn’t backing down. The agency’s response marks a broader shift under Trump 2.0—one that places national security and cultural values above the sensitivities of foreign agitators.

Meanwhile, CNN’s segment—intended as a soft interview—ended up serving as Exhibit A in the Trump team’s case for why Khalil and others like him pose a real threat.

Khalil’s refusal to simply say, “Hamas is a terrorist group,” speaks volumes. And DHS is making sure Americans hear it loud and clear.