A Columbia University student who was suspended for declaring that “Zionists do not deserve to live” has filed a federal lawsuit against North Carolina Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, claiming her actions violated his First Amendment rights.Khymani James, 22, who became a prominent figure during pro-Palestinian protests on Ivy League campuses in 2024, claimed in court documents that Foxx used her position as chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee to pressure Columbia to discipline him.James was suspended in April 2024 during the high-profile Gaza Solidarity Camp protests and was later denied readmission after university officials said he had insufficient reflection on his past actions. He is currently banned from campus but is eligible to reapply in 2026.James claimed in the lawsuit filed in Manhattan federal court that Foxx “abused his position” by urging Columbia to take action against him over what she said were anti-Semitic comments.He further claimed that the congressional investigation into campus anti-Semitism amounted to a McCarthy-era “investigation” and argued that her intervention unlawfully interfered with his contractual relationship with the university.Fox has denied the accusations. “The lawsuit’s lack of credibility and factual basis is self-evident,” she said in a post on She added that she would not block efforts to protect Jewish students from discrimination.The controversy stems from comments James made during a January 2024 disciplinary hearing, part of which he live-streamed.In the video, he said, “Zionists don’t deserve to live a comfortable life, let alone Zionists don’t deserve to live,” adding, “Thankfully I don’t just go out and murder Zionists.”The video resurfaced in April as campus protests intensified after Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.Columbia University Apartheid Divestment (CUAD) initially issued an apology and distanced itself from the comments. However, the organization later withdrew the apology, saying it did not reflect its “values or political line.”James later reiterated that he did not regret his remarks. “I will not allow anyone to shame me for my political views,” he wrote on social media. “Everything I say, I mean.”Columbia University condemns rhetoric that advocates violence, saying such rhetoric runs counter to its core principles.University officials declined to comment on the pending litigation but have previously said students must demonstrate the ability to engage with diverse viewpoints as part of campus life.The case intensifies an ongoing national debate over campus speech, anti-Semitism and limits on political protest at American universities.
