A “child of the ’60s” inspired by the civil rights movement, Leo Terrell, senior counsel to the assistant attorney general for the Civil Rights Division of the US Department of Justice, always knew that he wanted to fight for people to have equal rights in the legal arena.

He expressed his gratitude to his parents — both of whom came from Jackson, Mississippi — for raising him in a Baptist home that welcomed people of all faiths and ethnicities. He recalled how his family had Jewish doctors and lawyers, and told the Magazine, “We had an open door. We didn’t see color or religion, we just saw friends.”

Although Terrell grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, the schools he attended were, as he described them, “initially segregated but they were integrated, so I had tremendous early exposure.” He attended Gardena Senior High School in Southern California, which he called “the United Nations — a combination of every ethnic group.”

Despite being educated in a multicultural environment, he still experienced racism firsthand. “I knew for a fact that kids were segregated based on race. I saw that, I experienced that,” Terrell said. “It was a blessing of having all different types of people in school, but you also saw some people who didn’t understand or appreciate different ethnic differences.” He remembered becoming aware of antisemitism in high school and how it disturbed him when derogatory terms toward others were used.

Inspired by King — and the Black-Jewish Alliance

Terrell was inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr. and the historic coalition of Blacks and Jews uniting for equal rights. He referenced the tragic murder of activists Andrew Goodman, Michael Schwerner, and James Chaney, who were investigating the burning of a Black church in Mississippi when they were killed by the Ku Klux Klan. He spoke about how Jewish leaders traveled down South to advocate for Black civil rights, and how Henry Moskowitz, Rabbi Emil Hirsch, Rabbi Stephen Wise, and Lillian Wald co-founded the NAACP in 1909.

From the Classroom to the Courtroom

After majoring in political science at California State University Dominguez Hills, Terrell earned a master’s degree in education from Pepperdine University and taught middle and high school classes at public schools in Los Angeles for eight years. He received his law degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) — which he now calls “an embarrassment” because of the many antisemitic incidents that have occurred on campus since October 7.

Terrell’s vast experience fighting discrimination prepared him for his role today. In the 1990s, he was an appointed member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Advisory Council and co-chair of a statewide commission against hate crimes in California.

Leading the Federal Task Force

Expressing his gratitude to President Trump, Terrell said, “This man has given me the authority, under executive order, to head this task force… For those who believe in freedom of religion, we have a unicorn in the White House.” He called Trump “the best friend in the White House the Jewish community ever had.”

Terrell referred to the extreme rise in antisemitism today as “historic,” calling it “a wake-up call to America and Western civilization.” He described his phone as never stopping ringing about antisemitism. He also described how he and Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee are on the same page: “You’ve got two people who are not Jewish who understand what the war is all about on fighting antisemitism.”

As head of the Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, Terrell is spearheading investigations into 10 universities — including his alma mater, UCLA — for failing to protect Jewish students and faculty members from unlawful discrimination. The task force is examining Harvard University, Columbia University, New York University, George Washington University, the University of Southern California, Northwestern University, and Johns Hopkins University for violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Terrell explained that he is also investigating antisemitism in elementary and high schools because “what they have done to our universities over the last two decades, they have now focused on K–12.” He called this “an organized plan” and said school districts have been “hijacked with antisemitic curriculums,” describing it as “a two-front war” given the power teachers’ unions have to influence curriculums.

Personal Bonds with the Jewish Community

Terrell insists fighting antisemitism “is personal to me.” His close, positive relationships with Jewish people from an early age left an indelible impression. When he was 14, he said he was 16 so he could work at McDonald’s. The branch owner, Arnold Levitan, was Jewish. “He was my first boss, and he was a mentor, an employer, and a friend. He’s a great man. I owe a lot to him — leadership skills — I learned so much from him.” Terrell added, “I’ve had a love affair with the Jewish community since I got my first job at McDonald’s.”

While attending UCLA law school, Terrell worked for a Jewish private practitioner who welcomed him after graduation and gave him his own private practice at 8383 Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles. “He welcomed me into his building, his suite, rented a space out to me, and that’s how I got my start — with the help of a Jewish lawyer.” Terrell added, “The practice was all Jewish lawyers… They welcomed me with open arms, and they helped me.”

Standing with Bereaved Families

Leah Goldin, the mother of Hadar Goldin — a 23-year-old lieutenant in the Givati Brigade killed by Hamas during a ceasefire violation on August 1, 2014, whose body was held hostage in Gaza for over 11 years — told the Magazine how honored she was to meet Terrell in Washington at his office. Terrell was deeply moved by Hadar’s story. Goldin gifted him one of Hadar’s paintings, which now sits on his desk.

Terrell wore a red baseball cap bearing Hadar’s name to every TV appearance and public event. He was recognized at The Zionist Organization of America’s 2025 Superstar Gala with the Robert Kasowitz Defender of Jewish Civil Rights Award. That same night — in a deeply emotional moment — he removed the cap and announced, “He’s home.” Hadar had been returned.

Terrell arrived in Israel for the first time on January 24, 2026, reuniting with the Goldin family. “People said you would never be the same, and they were right. It was unbelievable,” he recalled. The following day he received the King David Award at the Dan Family Aish World Center in Jerusalem, in recognition of his advocacy for the Jewish people and protection of Jewish American college students. On January 26, 2026, at the Jerusalem International Convention Center, he was honored with Israel’s annual Beacon of Truth Award, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in attendance.

Terrell also formed a deep bond with the family of Master Sgt. Ran Gvili, known as “The Shield of Alumim” — the last hostage brought home. When Ran’s sister Shira lit the Hanukkah candles at the Israeli Embassy on December 18, 2025, Terrell stood and applauded, prompting everyone in the room to follow. On January 26, 2026, Terrell delivered a speech at Ran’s funeral, attended by thousands, including Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. “He gave a beautiful speech. I will never forget it,” Shira said.

A Rapid Response — and a Long-Term Vision

Terrell urges people to take action at the local level by reporting antisemitic incidents to their city attorney’s office, school districts, and congressional leaders. He has plans to establish a national “rapid response team,” with point people on the ground in cities reporting discriminatory incidents directly to the federal government. “Sometimes just a letter from the Department of Justice works wonders. If they know we’re on it, then they start thinking twice about it,” he said.

He also has plans to implement a Black Summit for Black pastors and community leaders who support Israel. “Many Black Americans have the same feelings that I have about the Jewish community,” Terrell said. “They’re just being drowned out by a very large, loud Left.” Terrell left the Democratic Party seven years ago, saying “it was not the same party that I grew up with and appreciated.”

His biggest concern is that the fight against antisemitism doesn’t stop when Trump’s presidency is over. “It is critical that we set up guardrails to make sure that the Jewish community is protected… any incoming president has to make sure they’re committed to these obligations to protect Jewish Americans,” he said.

Noting that antisemitism is rapidly pervading both sides of the political spectrum, Terrell acknowledged that while people have a right to express discriminatory and false views, “more speech” is the most powerful counter to hate speech. “I don’t know if you can tell by my voice inflection,” he said, “I’m very passionate about fighting antisemitism.”