House GOP leaders, led by Speaker Mike Johnson, called upon President Biden to visit Columbia University amidst ongoing demonstrations in protest of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Johnson announced a congressional probe into instances of antisemitism at these demonstrations and personally visited the school to address anti-Israel agitators and meet with Jewish students who have expressed feeling unsafe on campus. The White House released a statement condemning the actions of student protesters at Columbia, urging for peaceful and lawful protests and denouncing hate speech and symbols.
Anti-Israel protests on college campuses, which began at Columbia University and Barnard College, have sparked a wave of demonstrations nationwide. The committees involved in the congressional investigation include Education & the Workforce, Energy & Commerce, Oversight, the Judiciary, Ways & Means, and the committee on Science, Space & Technology. Education & Workforce Committee Chair Virginia Foxx announced a new hearing on the matter, inviting officials from various universities to testify. House GOP leaders are emphasizing the need to restore law and order, academic integrity, and moral decency at higher education institutions, calling for President Biden to take action against the recent events.
House GOP Conference Chair Elise Stefanik stressed the need for action, stating that “enough is enough” and highlighting the importance of restoring order to America’s universities. The investigation will focus on various aspects relevant to each committee’s work, such as taxpayer-funded grants going to colleges and universities, and the sources of funding for the nationwide protests. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer expressed his suspicions of a coordinated effort behind the protests, suggesting that global elites are funding these demonstrations and other radical agendas.
The investigation extends beyond Columbia University to include other colleges and universities where anti-Israel demonstrations have taken place. President Biden has been called upon to address the situation and take action against antisemitism on campus. House GOP leaders are determined to hold bad actors funding these protests accountable and to expose the sources of funding. The probe aims to shed light on the motivations behind the demonstrations and to ensure that universities uphold academic integrity and protect the safety and well-being of all students, regardless of their background or beliefs.
