More than 100 House Democrats voted against a resolution condemning an accused terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, raising eyebrows and drawing swift responses from both sides of the aisle. The resolution, led by Rep. Gabe Evans, a Republican from Colorado, passed the House in a 280–113 vote, with 75 Democrats joining Republicans in support. Six lawmakers, including one Republican and five Democrats, voted “present.”
The resolution was introduced in response to an incident involving Mohammed Sabry Soliman, an Egyptian national accused of attempting to set fire to peaceful demonstrators in Boulder. Those demonstrators were protesting Hamas’ ongoing detention of Israeli hostages in Gaza. Federal prosecutors have filed terrorism-related charges against Soliman, who had reportedly overstayed both a tourist visa and a subsequent work permit. The Trump administration has since stated its intention to deport him and his family.
Evans’ resolution went beyond condemning the alleged act of terrorism. It included language critical of sanctuary city policies and emphasized the importance of communication between federal immigration authorities and state and local law enforcement. It also thanked U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and other law enforcement personnel for their roles in protecting public safety.
That broader language sparked concern among some Democrats. Critics of the resolution said it blended condemnation of antisemitism with a political stance on immigration policy that they found problematic. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries voiced his objection, calling the resolution an unserious attempt to confront antisemitism and accusing Evans of politicizing a serious issue.
“Who is this guy?” Jeffries asked during a press conference. “This is not a serious effort. Antisemitism is a scourge on America. It shouldn’t be weaponized politically.”
Evans responded to the remarks on social media, writing, “I served our nation in uniform in the Middle East, as a cop in Colorado, & now as a Congressman. This wildly offensive sentiment from Democrat’s Leader is why antisemitism persists. The Left is unserious about finding real solutions.”
Rep. Dan Goldman, a Democrat from New York and one of the few Jewish members of Congress, also expressed frustration. During floor debate, Goldman said that while he agrees antisemitism is a problem, he was frustrated with what he viewed as repeated attempts to use it for political messaging. “We Jews are sick and tired of being used as pawns,” he said.
🚨 NEW: The House has passed a resolution condemning the recent antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado
113 Democrats voted against the resolution, with many taking issue with the link made between the attack and the accused perpetrators status as being unlawfully in the US at… pic.twitter.com/Yq8GHt0q4b
— Politics US (@PolitlcsUS) June 9, 2025
Meanwhile, a separate resolution more broadly condemning antisemitic attacks in the United States passed the House nearly unanimously. That measure was introduced by Reps. Jeff Van Drew, a Republican from New Jersey, and Joe Neguse, a Democrat from Colorado. It passed 400–0, with only two members voting “present”: Reps. Rashida Tlaib and Marjorie Taylor Greene.
Van Drew defended Evans’ resolution, acknowledging its different focus but calling its points valid. “Mine focused purely on antisemitism here in the world. But he brings up a valid point not only for Jews, but for many innocent victims,” Van Drew said, referencing other recent crimes attributed to undocumented immigrants.
Greene explained her decision to vote “present” in a social media post, writing that while she opposed antisemitic hate crimes, she believed other forms of violence and hate were not receiving equal attention from Congress.
280-113-6:House passed a GOP resolution denouncing the antisemitic terrorist attack in Boulder,CO.Many of the 113 Democrats who voted No said they did so because it “expresses gratitude” to ICE “for protecting the homeland” & focused too much on the attacker, not on antisemitism. pic.twitter.com/dQj6f67kKj
— Craig Caplan (@CraigCaplan) June 10, 2025
As debate over antisemitism, immigration, and public safety continues, the House floor has become a place where these intersecting issues are now openly colliding. While lawmakers found consensus on one resolution, the strong division over the other illustrates how deeply immigration policy is shaping discussions around national security and hate crimes in America.
