Republican Congressman Mike Johnson from Louisiana is urging President Biden to witness firsthand the pro-Palestine protests that have engulfed Columbia University’s Manhattan campus. Johnson, along with a cohort of GOP lawmakers, recently visited the campus to denounce the demonstrations.
In a press conference held on Tuesday, Johnson expressed his desire for Biden to visit Columbia University, which has become a focal point for pro-Palestine activism in the United States. He disclosed that he had already reached out to senior White House advisors during his visit, although a direct connection with the president was not immediately established.
Last week, Johnson and his fellow House Republicans held a press conference at Columbia, where they demanded the resignation of university President Nemat Shafik in response to the ongoing pro-Palestine protests, including the establishment of an encampment on campus grounds. The lawmakers’ remarks were met with opposition from the students present, who voiced their dissent.
During the same event, Johnson announced his intention to brief President Biden on the situation, emphasizing the need for executive action. He suggested the deployment of the National Guard if the protests continued unabated, citing concerns over threats and intimidation tactics.
The protests at Columbia escalated further when a group of pro-Palestinian demonstrators seized control of an academic building, barricading entrances and displaying a Palestinian flag. The White House swiftly condemned this development, labeling it as the “wrong approach” to peaceful protest.
White House officials reiterated the president’s stance against hate speech and violence, emphasizing the importance of peaceful and lawful demonstrations. While they did not directly address Johnson’s call for Biden to visit Columbia, they underscored the administration’s commitment to upholding free expression while condemning actions that disrupt the academic environment and promote hate.