CNN anchor Abby Phillip on Monday joined others in defending pro-Hamas agitator Mahmoud Khalil, repeatedly questioning whether his actions truly warranted deportation.

Khalil, linked to the protests at Columbia University, was detained over the weekend by President Donald Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the administration has since announced plans to revoke his legal immigration status to facilitate his deportation.

Democrats have rallied behind Khalil, arguing that his actions amount to nothing more than exercising free speech that Trump opposed—and Phillip echoed this viewpoint.

Republican commentator Scott Jennings made the case for President Trump’s plan, saying, “He’s a resident alien and he can be deported under U.S. law for — if the Secretary of State has ‘a reasonable ground to believe that he would have a potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequence.’”

He attempted to describe how Khalil fit that description, but the anchor interrupted him.

“Before you move on, because I think that’s a really important point, right? That’s the statute that they’re using,” she said. “Have you seen any evidence to suggest that there is actually a serious reason to believe that this student is gonna be threat to national security?”

“I’ve certainly watched the abomination that’s gone on at Columbia,” Jennings replied. “And Barnard and other places —”

“So, a threat to national security?” Phillip interrupted again.

Jennings attempted to cite up the organization with which Khalil is affiliated, but Phillip interrupted him a third time, saying, “I’m not going to let you move on —”

“I’ll tell you why he’s a threat to national security if you’ll let me answer you,” Jennings said. “Do you want me to answer you or not? His organization says, ‘We are dedicated to fighting for the total eradication of western civilization.’”

Mahmoud Khalil’s group wants to eradicate Western Civilization & foment unrest in the United States. President Trump & @SecRubio are well within their legal rights to deport this radical. We are either going to stand up or become Europe. I’m 100% behind the President. pic.twitter.com/0shUR407pr

— Scott Jennings (@ScottJenningsKY) March 11, 2025

“Okay,” Phillip replied.

“He’s not a citizen, he doesn’t need to be here,” Jennings added.

“You just described him having viewpoints that you disagree with,” Phillip continued. “Again, is that enough to have someone lose their rights in this country?”

“He has viewpoints that in my opinion jeopardize the security of the United States —” Jennings said.

“How? But how?” Phillip asked, seemingly content to allow Khalil to remain in the U.S. long enough for him to act on his beliefs and harm or kill American citizens.

“He is obviously a radical who is here to foment violence against the United States government!” Jennings shot back while Phillip and several other panelists all began talking over each other.