Johnson asks protesters at Columbia to stop "nonsense"
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) -- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) jumped into the Israeli-Palestinian debate on college campuses. He spoke about antisemitism with students at Columbia University Wednesday.
Speaker Johnson was booed by students as pro-Palestinian protests are spreading to more campuses across the country.
Columbia University is the epicenter. Hundreds of students have occupied the campus in tents for days demanding the school divest from companies with ties to Israel.
"My message to the students inside the encampment is go back to class and stop the nonsense,” said Johnson.
Johnson also spoke with Jewish students at the Ivy League school about antisemitism.
"As Columbia has allowed these lawless agitators and radicals to take over, the virus of antisemitism has spread across other campuses,” he said.
Reps. Nicole Malliotakis and Anthony D'Esposito (R-N.Y.) joined Johnson and agree with him.
"It's shocking to see that it is happening in the most diverse and welcoming city in America,” said Malliotakis.
D'Esposito agreed saying, "If you are a protestor on this campus and you are proud that you've been endorsed by Hamas, you are part of the problem."
All three called on Columbia’s president to resign.
Speaker Johnson says he's calling on President Biden to send in the National Guard.
Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) says students have a right to protest, but there is a limit.
"Protestors need to have a right to demonstrate, but when that demonstration ends up shutting down schools, that's a bridge too far,” said Warner.
Protestors at Columbia agreed to take down some of the tents but vowed they aren't going anywhere.