Several recognizable Republican political figures made a visit to Columbia University this week, increasing pressure in an already tense atmosphere. Many students and local activists have been staging anti-Israel protests on campus for several weeks, with no end in sight.
The Visit
House Speaker Mike Johnson and Republican Representatives Virginia Foxx (North Carolina), Nicole Malliotakis (New York), Anthony D’Esposito (New York), and Mike Lawler (New York) came to the protest scene at Columbia University to much media fanfare.
Political Implications
Some local New York politicians saw the visit as a political stunt, which is likely to have the effect of inflaming the already dire situation. Local law enforcement has had a difficult time diffusing the conflict, leading some Republican Senators to call for the National Guard to be deployed to the site.
Governor’s Statement
New York Governor Kathy Hochul spoke out following the Republican lawmakers’ visit, complaining that the presence of divisive political figures who are known to be supportive of Israel added fuel to the fire of a situation that could easily spiral out of hand.
Congressional Criticism
While several of the Republican contingent represented Congressional Districts in New York, another New York Representative, Democrat Jamaal Bowman, criticized his colleagues for using the serious situation as a way to bring attention to the most extreme demonstration of the pro-Palestinian movement and further erode conservative and centrist mistrust for elite educational institutions, which are considered by many of this group to be revolutionary.
Hostile Reception
The crowd gathered around Speaker Johnson and the Republican House members were largely a hostile audience, booing their remarks and calling out “Mike, you suck” and “Free, free Palestine.” Jewish students had been advised to remain at home for online courses, and the campus was voluntarily cleared out of any groups likely to disagree with the demonstrators.
Public Reaction
In addition to booing and heckling, the protestors engaged in chants targeting Speaker Johnson and his support for Israel. They also continued their vocal chants in support of Palestine over Israel.
Communication Challenges
Onlookers and the media acknowledged the din of the crowd, as it was difficult to hear Johnson and his colleagues over the opposition.
Personal Attacks
Speaker Johnson was the target of the ire of the crowd, as many hecklers lobbed accusations and questions at him regarding his tenuous position at the head of his Caucus, as well as continuing to criticize his positions relating to Israel and Palestine.
Johnson’s Response
Johnson remained undeterred, forging forward with his comments regarding the issue of free speech and Jewish student safety. Johnson claimed, “We respect free speech, we respect the diversity of ideas, but there is a way to do that in a lawful manner, and that’s not what this is.”
Statement on Free Speech
Speaker Johnson and the other Republican lawmakers in attendance spoke in support of free speech within a context that does not cross into anti-Semitism and intimidation of students who hold different views from the protestors.
Political Actions
Echoing the sentiments of Republican Senators who have called for President Biden to deploy the National Guard to secure the situation in Columbia, Johnson stated his intention to call on the President to act to ensure the civil rights of all students are respected.
Congressional Attention
This is only the latest of many visits from lawmakers of both parties to Columbia. In the past weeks, ten different Members of Congress have visited Columbia to personally assess the threats to Jewish students reported by the media.
Johnson Calls for Accountability
Johnson and several of his colleagues have called for Columbia University’s President, Minouche Shafik, to resign based on the alleged mismanagement of the ongoing protests. Johnson threatened that he would call President Biden to exert pressure for Shafik’s removal.
