Trump Admin Faces Lawsuit Over Detention of Mahmoud Khalil
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian-American activist, is suing the Trump administration for $20 million, alleging false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, and defamation, following his arrest and detention in March. The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department have pushed back, dismissing Khalil’s claims and asserting their actions were lawful. Khalil, who was involved in mediating between pro-Palestinian protesters and Columbia University leadership, maintains his arrest was politically motivated due to his activism. His lawsuit, filed under the Federal Tort Claims Act, seeks to hold the government accountable for what he views as an effort to punish dissent, especially from Palestinian and Muslim voices.