A shocking terrorist attack in Boulder, Colorado, has left the nation reeling and sparked fierce debate over border security.
On Sunday, eight people were injured when an Egyptian national allegedly unleashed a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails on a Jewish group. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer and President Donald Trump point fingers at Democrats’ border policies under former President Joe Biden, claiming they paved the way for this tragedy.
The assault in Boulder targeted pro-Israeli demonstrators, with the suspect, Mohamed Soliman, reportedly shouting “Free Palestine” before the attack.
The Daily Caller reported that Soliman, who entered the U.S. legally in August 2022 on a B2 visa, overstayed his welcome after it expired in February 2023. This incident has reignited tensions over immigration enforcement, with conservatives arguing it’s a predictable outcome of lax policies.
Soliman filed for asylum in September 2022, but his application did little to prevent his alleged descent into violence. According to police, he expressed a desire to “kill all Zionist people,” a chilling statement that underscores the attack’s hateful motives.
The Department of Justice swiftly charged him with a federal hate crime on June 2, 2025, signaling a firm response from the Trump administration.
The Department of Homeland Security confirmed Soliman’s visa overstay, a detail that has fueled Republican criticism of Biden-era border management.
Emmer called the attack a “direct result” of Democrats’ “open-borders agenda,” a jab that ties the tragedy to broader policy failures. It’s a stark reminder that visa enforcement isn’t just paperwork—it’s a matter of public safety.
President Trump echoed Emmer’s sentiments, blasting Biden’s “ridiculous Open Borders Policy” on Truth Social. He insisted Soliman “must go out under ‘TRUMP’ Policy,” doubling down on his administration’s hardline stance. The rhetoric is fiery, but it resonates with those who see border security as a non-negotiable priority.
In April 2025, the Trump administration reported a 95% drop in illegal migrant encounters at the southern border, with “gotaways” down 99% from the previous year.
These numbers suggest a dramatic shift from Biden’s tenure, when critics argue that unchecked immigration created vulnerabilities. Soliman’s case, though, shows that legal entry points can be just as problematic if oversight falters.
House Democrats’ voting history is now under a microscope, with Republicans highlighting their unanimous opposition to H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, in May 2023.
The bill aimed to stiffen penalties for visa overstays, a measure that might have flagged Soliman earlier. Actions have consequences, and critics argue that Democrats’ resistance left gaps in the system.
Similarly, only 46 Democrats backed the Laken Riley Act in January 2025, which would have allowed the detention of unauthorized migrants for certain crimes. The limited support reflects a broader divide, with many Democrats wary of policies they view as overly punitive. Yet, in the wake of Boulder, that stance is being framed as a dangerous miscalculation.
Every House Democrat also voted against Trump’s tax and spending bill, which allocated $50 billion for border wall construction and $12 billion for border states.
Republicans argue this funding could have bolstered security, potentially preventing incidents like Boulder. The partisan split is clear, and voters are left to decide who’s got the better plan.
Attorney General Pam Bondi promised that the DOJ would pursue Soliman “to the fullest extent of the law.” The federal hate crime charge sends a message that targeted violence won’t be tolerated, especially against religious communities. It’s a step toward justice, but for the victims, the scars remain.
The attack’s antisemitic undertones have shaken Boulder’s Jewish community, already on edge amid rising global tensions.
Emmer emphasized that House Republicans are “working overtime” to protect Jewish Americans and ensure “radical” migrants find no haven here. The pledge is bold, but delivering on it will require more than words.
Soliman’s alleged actions—using a flamethrower and Molotov cocktails—paint a picture of calculated hatred.
His reported statements to police reveal a deep-seated animus, raising questions about how such extremism went unnoticed. It’s a sobering call for better vetting and monitoring of those who enter the country.
The Boulder attack has thrust border security back into the national spotlight, with Republicans seizing the moment to critique Democratic policies. Trump’s claim that Soliman’s presence stems from Biden’s failures resonates with conservatives who demand stricter enforcement.
