Antisemitism Task Force Head Leo Terrell Ranks Himself Second to Trump in Israel Support

Leo Terrell, a prominent conservative commentator and the head of the Trump administration's multi-agency Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, recently declared his strong allegiance to Israel, positioning himself directly behind former President Donald Trump. In a social media post, Terrell stated, "> President Trump is Israel’s best friend! I am number 2!🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇮🇱🇮🇱🇮🇱" This assertion underscores his vocal support for both Trump and the state of Israel.

Terrell, a former Democrat who notably shifted his political alignment to become a staunch supporter of Donald Trump in 2020, has since become a fixture on conservative media. His transformation, which he dubbed "Leo 2.0," led to his appointment as senior counsel in the Justice Department's civil rights division and, subsequently, his leadership of the task force focusing on combating antisemitism, particularly on college campuses.

The task force, established in February 2025, has been actively scrutinizing universities for alleged antisemitism, often leading to controversial interventions and funding freezes. Terrell has publicly vowed to "bankrupt these universities" that he claims are "guilty of antisemitism," according to reports from ProPublica. This aggressive stance has drawn both praise from some Jewish groups and strong criticism from others who view it as an overreach and a weaponization of antisemitism concerns.

Despite his role in combating antisemitism, Terrell has faced scrutiny for his own social media activity, including sharing posts from individuals associated with white supremacist views. Politico reported in May 2025 that Terrell had reshared content from Patrick Casey, a former head of a defunct white supremacist organization. Critics, such as Amy Spitalnick of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, have condemned these actions, questioning the credibility of his leadership in the fight against antisemitism.

Terrell's tweet reinforces the strong pro-Israel stance that has been a hallmark of Donald Trump's political platform. Trump's administration previously moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and brokered the Abraham Accords. Terrell's public declaration aligns with this narrative, positioning him as a key figure in advocating for these policies and perspectives within the current political landscape.