At an April 22 town hall, California Sen. Adam Schiff criticized House Republicans for using antisemitism “to interfere with academic freedom” when asked about President Jeffrey Armstrong’s upcoming testimony before Congress regarding his “failures to address antisemitism on campus.”
Held at Cuesta College, the town hall featured both Schiff and Congressman Salud Carbajal. Hundreds attended the event to ask questions and voice frustrations over affordable housing, the Israel-Hamas War, and President Donald Trump.
When asked about Trump, both Schiff and Carbajal spoke bluntly. Carbajal called Trump “narcissistic,” while Schiff called his executive actions “destructive” and accused him of setting off a constitutional crisis.
“This is an unprecedented time in our history, a time I never would have imagined possible 10 years ago,” Schiff said. “There’s a lot of debate about whether the crisis is here or whether we’re in the heat of the crisis, and I think we’re there.”
Much of the crowd appeared supportive, applauding the speakers’ answers while booing mentions of recent tariffs and proposed cuts to federal programs.
Schiff also condemned recent actions by the Trump administration targeting university funding, calling them “extortion.”
“It’s appropriate for Congress to do hearings,” Schiff said. “Nevertheless, what the [Trump] administration is doing in threatening the withholding of research grants and dollars is, I think, unlawful.”
Carbajal advocated for taking legal action against the administration following funding cuts to federal agencies, calling the cuts “illegal.”
Others asked Schiff and Carbajal their views on what they saw as ethical and legal violations by the administration, including one question about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sharing military airstrike plans against Yemen’s Houthi militants in a Signal group chat.
“I serve on the House Armed Services Committee, and my Republican colleagues are disgusted, but they can’t seem to muster the courage to do something about it because they’re scared of Trump,” Carbajal said.
The most contentious moment of the event was when an attendee asked, “Why are we still treating Israel as our friend when they are committing genocide?” This question triggered loud reactions from the audience and interruptions as the speakers tried to answer.
Schiff emphasized his support for Israel but also acknowledged concerns about the conduct of its leadership. He co-sponsored the Antisemitism Awareness Act, which would incorporate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of antisemitism into federal enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in educational programs.
Both Schiff and Carbajal said they are supporters of Israel, freeing hostages held by Hamas and establishing a two-state solution. They also expressed sympathy for the loss of life in Gaza and criticized the civilian casualties there.
“I have firm disagreements with Netanyahu, and in many respects, disagree with how he’s conducted the war,” Schiff said.
When asked about California’s housing shortage, Carbajal called for increased federal funding for new housing projects, citing the Housing for All Act, which he cosponsored.
“I’m proud that I have recently co-sponsored a bill that takes our housing funding and puts them on steroids,” Carbajal said. “But we can always do more.”