In a recent statement, former President Donald Trump speculated that the ongoing riots on college campuses are intentionally drawing attention away from the border crisis. Trump's assertion came after a night of discord at Columbia University, where clashes between New York Police Department officers and students protesting in support of Palestinians escalated tensions.

"Do you think that the Radical Left Lunatics that are causing all of the CHAOS at our Colleges and Universities are doing so in order to take the FOCUS away from our Southern Border, where millions of people, many from prisons and mental institutions, are pouring into our Country? Just askin'...???" Trump questioned.

Trump repeatedly condemned the violent anti-Israel protests happening nationwide, emphasizing the need for immediate replacement of what he called "weak and ineffective leadership" at universities. He also emphasized the urgency of stopping antisemitism quickly and effectively.

Pro-Palestinian agitators clashed with pro-Israel students at UCLA's campus, prompting local officials to issue warnings stating that the campus was "out of control" and "no longer safe." Riot gear-clad police eventually arrived on campus to regain control following hours of violence between opposing groups.

Reacting to the situation, Trump told Fox News Digital, "This violence has to stop immediately... Weak and ineffective leadership at colleges and universities must be replaced, and fast."

Incidents involving protests and arrests were also reported at Columbia University, City College of New York, Tulane University, and the University of Arizona. At the Arizona encampment, police were seen dispersing gas, firing rubber bullets, and clashing with demonstrators. State troopers were present on campus with pepper ball guns and gas masks.

While these protests have dominated news cycles in recent days, a new poll released on Tuesday revealed that illegal immigration remains the top concern of U.S. voters. According to an April 1-22 Gallup survey, 27% of Americans ranked immigration as the most important problem facing the U.S. This marks the third consecutive month that immigration has topped Gallup's open-ended trend, making it the longest consecutive stretch for the issue in the past 24 years.

As the border crisis and college campus riots continue to make headlines, Trump's statements highlight his belief that attention should be redirected to address the challenges faced at the southern border. The debate surrounding these issues is likely to persist as the nation grapples with finding solutions to both ongoing concerns.