House Speaker Mike Johnson Condemns Anti-Israel Protests at Columbia University

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is facing backlash from Democrats after denouncing anti-Israel protests on Columbia University's campus, with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez accusing him of attempting to restrict reproductive rights and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul urging him to address other crises.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has ignited controversy after delivering an impassioned speech against anti-Israel protests on Columbia University's campus, drawing criticism from Democrats who have accused him of politicizing the demonstrations.

Johnson's remarks came amid days of protests on the Manhattan Ivy League campus, which left Jewish students fearing for their safety. The speaker, joined by several New York House Republicans, expressed solidarity with the students and condemned the "mob" of pro-ceasefire activists who had set up an encampment on campus.

"The college campus used to be the place for respectful debate, for the differences of opinion and the free marketplace of ideas to be discussed," Johnson told the protesters. "That is not what is happening here."

His speech was met with loud booing from the activists, to which Johnson retorted, "Enjoy your free speech."

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., was quick to criticize Johnson on Twitter, questioning his credibility due to his stance on reproductive rights. "Why would I ever listen to a man that thinks he should have more say over my body than I do? NEXT," she tweeted.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul also condemned Johnson's remarks, accusing him of politicizing the demonstrations and urging him to focus on other pressing issues. "A speaker worth the title should really be trying to heal people and not divide them, so I don’t think it adds to anything," Hochul said.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., went further, suggesting that Johnson's speech endangered the lives of students at the Columbia encampment. "It is not surprising that he would go out to Columbia University and stir up really more anger and hate and endanger the lives of young people who are at the encampment at Columbia University," she said.

Johnson's office defended his speech, stating that Governor Hochul and other New York officials had failed to protect Jewish students and combat antisemitism. "We wish it hadn’t been necessary," the office said.

Johnson's visit to Columbia came as officials on both sides of the aisle condemned the demonstrations, which have forced the university to move classes online due to safety concerns. Similar protests have occurred at colleges across the country, including at Yale University, where a Jewish student reported being hit in the eye with a flagpole during an anti-Israel event.

The controversy surrounding Johnson's speech highlights the heightened tensions and polarization surrounding the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. While some condemn the protests as antisemitic, others argue that they are a legitimate expression of solidarity with Palestinians suffering under Israeli occupation.

As tensions escalate, it remains unclear how the situation at Columbia and other campuses will resolve itself. The protests have raised important questions about the role of universities in addressing political conflicts and the extent to which free speech can be exercised without infringing on the rights of others.