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# Rep. Burgess Owens brands arrested Palestinian student a 'terrorist' without proof
- URL: https://utahpolitics.news/rep-burgess-owens-brands-arrested-palestinian-student-a-terrorist-without-proof/
- Published: 2025-03-12T20:00:37.000Z
- Updated: 2025-12-02T17:04:20.000Z
- Author: Bryan Schott
- Tags: Congress, Burgess Owens

In a tense hallway exchange, Utah Rep. Burgess Owens branded Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil a “terrorist” several times — offering zero evidence to back up his claim.

Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student and prominent Palestinian protest organizer, was [arrested on Saturday night](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/white-house-says-hamas-propaganda-rallies-palestinian-activist-rcna195947?ref=utahpolitics.news) by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, who informed him his student visa had been revoked. When the agents were told that Khalil was a permanent resident with a green card, he was informed that was also being revoked. He is [being held at a Louisiana immigration facility](https://www.axios.com/2025/03/12/columbia-protest-leader-detained?ref=utahpolitics.news).

In a confrontation captured on video by [left-wing activist organization Code Pink](https://www.codepink.org/?ref=utahpolitics.news), Owens [was asked if he had issued a statement on Khalil](https://www.tiktok.com/@codepinkalert/video/7480660219979124011?is%5Ffrom%5Fwebapp=1&sender%5Fdevice=pc&web%5Fid=7439849274586269230&ref=utahpolitics.news).

“He should go home,” Owens declared as he walked through the Capitol corridors. “He’s a terrorist.”

When pressed on why he was labeling Khalil as a “terrorist,” Owens doubled down, refusing to provide any justification.

> [@codepinkalert](https://www.tiktok.com/@codepinkalert?refer=embed&ref=utahpolitics.news "@codepinkalert") 
> 
> This is the level of discourse from our elected officials: mindless repetition of talking points instead of actual facts. It’s pathetic. They know there is no legal reason to deport Mahmoud Khalil. He's a nonviolent student negotiator who hasn't broken any law. Join us as we Flood Congress for Mahmoud and demand his release! https://www.codepink.org/congress4mahmoud
> 
> [♬ original sound - CODEPINK](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7480660257497287467?refer=embed&ref=utahpolitics.news "♬ original sound - CODEPINK") 

Owens was asked why he referred to Khalil as a “terrorist,” Owens would only repeat his accusation.

“Because that’s what he is,” Owens insisted. “He’s a terrorist. He’s a terrorist. He should go home.”

Owens repeated the mantra until he escaped in an elevator, the doors closing on further questions.

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When Utah Political Watch sought clarification on Owens’ comments, his office offered no evidence or explanation for his rhetoric.

In a social media post on Monday, Owens referred to Khalil as a “terrorist-supporting non-citizen.” In that same post, he condemned a federal judge who stopped Khalil’s deportation.

> Judge steps in on behalf of a terrorist-supporting non-citizen.  
>  
> Where were these “activist” judges when:  
>  
> \- DOJ targeted parents at school board meetings   
> \- DOJ prosecuted old ladies for praying outside abortion clinics  
> \- Antisemites attacked Jewish students/businesses [https://t.co/q8DtjjBgTU](https://t.co/q8DtjjBgTU?ref=utahpolitics.news)
> 
> — Burgess Owens (@BurgessOwens) [March 10, 2025](https://twitter.com/BurgessOwens/status/1899230465661296801?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=utahpolitics.news)

[The Associated Press reported](https://apnews.com/article/columbia-university-mahmoud-khalil-ice-15014bcbb921f21a9f704d5acdcae7a8?ref=utahpolitics.news) that a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson accused Khalil of leading “activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.” His arrest is related to President Donald Trump’s executive order prohibiting anti-Semitism.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/ff/05/ff054ad9-05eb-4301-bd7c-0d7e2e111eac/content/images/2025/02/2025.02.25-News-Tip-3.png)