White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre faced tough questions during a recent press briefing regarding the response of many universities in the U.S. to anti-Israel protests on their campuses. Schools like Columbia, Yale, Harvard, and Penn have seen days-long protests with students demanding their schools completely divest from Israel as the death toll in Gaza rises. Jean-Pierre declined to answer questions about whether President Biden was satisfied with how universities were handling the situation, and also dodged questions about disciplinary actions being taken against protesters. She emphasized that Biden stands against violent rhetoric, hate speech, and antisemitism, and that free expression must be done within the law.
During the briefing, Jean-Pierre refused to comment on whether it was fair that protesters at Columbia and other schools were being threatened with disciplinary actions, and whether students should leave protests before deadlines set by university personnel. She stressed that decisions regarding these matters should be made by university leadership, as colleges are institutions that have the authority to make such decisions. Jean-Pierre also avoided questions regarding the safety of graduations, the Biden administration’s response to police force at protests, and the impact of protests on students, including events like the cancelation of graduation at the University of Southern California and the rescheduling of exams at George Washington University.
One topic that was not addressed during the briefing was whether the White House would bar student protesters from eligibility for student loan forgiveness programs, a pledge that Biden made during his 2020 campaign. While denouncing antisemitic protests and hate, Biden also faced criticism for remarks made regarding the Palestinian conflict. Critics have drawn comparisons to comments made by former President Trump in 2017 after a riot in Charlottesville, Virginia, where Trump said there were “very fine people on both sides.” It remains unclear how the Biden administration will address the ongoing protests on college campuses.
The White House’s response during the briefing and in recent statements has emphasized Biden’s stance in favor of peaceful protests and against antisemitism and hate speech. The administration has condemned violent rhetoric and threats of intimidation, while also stating that free expression must be conducted within the bounds of the law. It is clear that the current administration is taking a firm stance against hate in all its forms, while also acknowledging the right of Americans to peacefully protest. As protests continue on college campuses across the country, it remains to be seen how the Biden administration will address the situation moving forward.
Despite the ongoing protests and the challenges they present, Jean-Pierre and the Biden administration have reiterated their commitment to upholding free expression while condemning hate and violence. The situation at universities like Columbia, Yale, Harvard, and Penn remains tense, with students demanding action from their schools in response to the conflict in Gaza. The administration’s response to the protests will likely continue to evolve as the situation unfolds, and it remains to be seen how universities and the White House will navigate these complex and sensitive issues in the coming weeks and months.
