House Speaker Condemns Antisemitism at Columbia University
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) has joined his voice to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian debate on college campuses, specifically speaking out against antisemitism and pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.
During a visit to the Ivy League school on Wednesday, Johnson was met with boos from students as he addressed the issue of antisemitism with Jewish students. He condemned the spread of antisemitism across other campuses, attributing it to Columbia’s tolerance of “lawless agitators and radicals”.
Reps. Nicole Malliotakis and Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) accompanied Johnson and expressed their support for his stance. They expressed shock at the presence of such sentiments in “the most diverse and welcoming city in America”.
The trio called for the resignation of Columbia’s president and urged President Biden to deploy the National Guard. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.), while acknowledging the right to protest, drew a line at actions that shut down schools.
Despite the removal of some tents by protestors, they vowed to continue their presence on campus.
