House Speaker Mike Johnson Booed and Heckled at Columbia University Amid Protests

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) faced a hostile reception during his visit to Columbia University on April 24, 2024, amid ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on campus over the Israeli-Gaza conflict. Johnson and four other Republican representatives were booed and heckled for nearly the entire 18 minutes of their press conference on the steps of Columbia's Low Library.

The visit marks the 10th member of Congress to travel to Columbia from across the country in the last three days over alleged antisemitism and threats to Jewish students. Johnson declared that he would urge President Biden to deploy the National Guard to universities and colleges across the country where students are being arrested in a crackdown against the pro-Palestinian protests.

The Republican lawmakers also accused the protesters of supporting Hamas and being antisemitic, which the protesters denied. The protests have become increasingly violent, with reports of police in riot gear cracking down on demonstrators at universities across the country.

Why this matters: The protests at Columbia University and other campuses highlight the growing tensions and divisions over the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the United States. The involvement of high-profile politicians like House Speaker Mike Johnson underscores the national significance of these campus demonstrations and their potential impact on U.S. foreign policy and domestic politics.

Johnson criticized the "hatred and antisemitism" on American college campuses and called for the arrest of those perpetrating violence and for Columbia University President Nemat "Minouche" Shafik to resign. The university had set a deadline for protesters to reach an agreement, but the negotiations were derailed when the school threatened an "imminent sweep by the NYPD or the National Guard." The university has since made a written concession not to call the police, which the students consider an "important victory."

Several prominent New York Democrats accused Johnson of "politicizing" the chaotic protests that have rocked the university for over a week. Johnson responded by saying that "it does not matter who shouts in our faces, we are going to do what's right by America."

The White House has expressed support for the right to peacefully protest but condemned calls for violence, physical intimidation, and hateful, antisemitic rhetoric. As the protests continue to spread, a Jewish security organization has called for schools to restore calm and order by enacting and enforcing strict anti-tent and anti-encampment policies and having zero tolerance for assaults on students or police.

Columbia University has extended the deadline for student protesters to clear their campus antiwar tent encampment to April 26, 2024, as officials and student protesters try to reach a solution. The university initially gave students a midnight deadline to remove the tents, but later extended it to allow for further negotiations. The protesters are demanding that the university divest from Israel and reverse disciplinary measures against pro-Palestinian students and faculty.

Key Takeaways

• House Speaker Mike Johnson faced hostile reception at Columbia Univ. over pro-Palestinian protests.
• Johnson called for deploying National Guard to crack down on protests, accused protesters of antisemitism.
• Protests highlight growing tensions over Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the U.S., impact on politics.
• Columbia Univ. extended deadline for protesters to clear campus tent encampment to April 26, 2024.
• Protesters demand university divest from Israel, reverse disciplinary actions against pro-Palestinian students.