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SALT LAKE CITY — "Marxist ideology" is to blame for pro-Hamas sentiments on "elite" college campuses, according to Rep. Burgess Owens.
The Utah Republican, who serves on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and heads the subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development, told Fox News' Harris Faulkner on Wednesday students are being "indoctrinated by termites, ideology from termites called Marxists" and "coming out literally hating everyone."
"This has been going on for a long time," he said. "I had no idea how bad it was getting until now we're seeing how heartless our kids are."
Tensions have increased on campuses across the nation following the brutal Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel that killed 1,400 people, mainly civilians, and the responding bombardment of the Gaza Strip by Israel that Palestinian health officials say has killed at least 5,791 Palestinians.
That figure has not been independently verified by news outlets.
More than 30 student groups at Harvard University have drawn fierce criticism after signing a letter blaming solely Israel for the Oct. 7 attacks, though some students have distanced themselves from the letter since, according to CNN.
Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said earlier this month he would stop donating to his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, over its lack of response to Hamas' attack, according to the Deseret News.
Owens threatened to cut federal funding to universities over the "indoctrination" of students, which, he said, is particularly a problem at Ivy League schools.
"We have a group of kids coming out today that have no heart ... they applaud evil. That is not the American way," he said. "We have to hold these colleges accountable. If they cannot give us a good product, those who love our country, love others, go out there and produce, we need to make sure we're pulling back funds."
Owens didn't explain why he believes Marxist philosophy leads to support for Hamas — which the U.S. Department of State considers a terrorist organization — though, the "radical ideology" is a frequent boogeyman he uses to label political opponents such as the Biden administration, organizations like Black Lives Matter and former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.
He has previously criticized the White House for its handling of a law requiring universities to disclose certain foreign funding, saying adversaries like the Chinese Communist Party have too much influence on college campuses.
We have to hold these colleges accountable. If they cannot give us a good product, those who love our country, love others, go out there and produce, we need to make sure we're pulling back funds.
– Utah Rep. Burgess Owens
Owens joined with the rest of Utah's House delegation in issuing a statement of solidarity with Israel following Hamas' incursion, and recently co-sponsered a bill to prevent President Joe Biden from issuing visas to Palestinians to come to the U.S.
"Following Hamas' barbaric massacre of innocent civilians, including 30 Americans, allowing unvetted Palestinians with ties to terrorism to resettle in our communities gravely compromises our national security," he said at the time.
