House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) accused the White House on Wednesday of “caving” to anti-Semitism that he believes is getting too much of a pass in today’s Democratic Party.
A “real problem” right now is a lack of “strong leadership” from the White House and Democrats in Congress, Johnson told radio host Hugh Hewitt in an interview.
“I mean, the White House is caving to the antisemitic — I call it the pro-Hamas wing of the party. Now they backpedaled on their support for Israel,” Johnson said.
Although Biden has declared “ironclad” support for Israel and backs aid for the country, he has also taken actions that could alleviate blowback from pro-Palestinian allies, including members of the leftist “Squad” in the House.
Biden criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approach to the war against Hamas in Gaza and reportedly warned Netanyahu the United States would not support Israel in a counterattack against Iran after a recent drone and missile attack.
Johnson, in his discussion with Hewitt, also chided Democrats for not doing more to condemn protesters chanting for “death” to America.
“They won’t call that out and some members, Democratic members of Congress, are even calling these anti-Semitic mobs peaceful protesters and defending the harassment, intimidation and all the rest,” Johnson said.
“So it’s really become a serious problem,” he added. “And they’re allowing mob rule to overtake the American ideals of free speech and the free exchange of ideas and in the free exercise of religion. This is not who we are.”
Johnson is planning a visit later on Wednesday to Columbia University, where a rabbi warned Jewish students to go home amid safety concerns stemming from pro-Palestinian demonstrations taking place around campus.
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The speaker told Hewitt that acts of harassment and intimidation being reported at Columbia and other colleges are “disgusting and unacceptable.”
Johnson voiced support for revoking federal funds for universities that cannot get a grip on the situation and for pulling student visas for “violent protesters” from other countries.
“We’re calling upon and demanding these university officials to get control. This situation is just completely out of control right now,” Johnson said.