Days after House Republicans from New York sent a letter demanding her resignation, House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is asking the president of Columbia University to step down from her position due to her inability to properly handle the anti-Semitic protests on the Ivy League school’s campus.
During a visit to the campus alongside other Republican lawmakers on Wednesday, Johnson demanded Minouche Shafik’s resignation while condemning the protests that have gone on for several days in the campus, leaving Israel students scared.
“Sadly, Columbia’s administrators have chosen to let the threats, the fear and the intimidation of the mob rule to overtake American principles like free speech and the free exchange of ideas and the free exercise of religion,” he stated.
“They have co-opted First Amendment arguments to protect genocide, and to elevate the voices of anti-Semitism. They have proven themselves to be incapable of achieving their basic responsibility, which is keeping students safe,” he continued.
Calling for the arrest of the protesters, Johnson said, “And I’m here today joining my colleagues and calling on President Shafik to resign if she cannot immediately bring order to this chaos.”
“As Speaker of the House, I am committing today that the Congress will not be silent as Jewish students are expected to run for their lives and stay home from their classes hiding in fear. In the House of Representatives, we’ve already acted to address anti-Semitism on campuses. We have passed a number of statutes to address this matter, and we call upon the U.S. Senate to act upon our legislation,” he added.
Later in the day, the House Speaker shared a video of his speech at the university, writing, “Administrators at Columbia have proven themselves to be incapable of achieving their basic responsibly – keeping students safe. I join my colleagues in calling on President Shafik to resign. Congress will not be silent as Jewish students are targeted on campus.”
Administrators at Columbia have proven themselves to be incapable of achieving their basic responsibly – keeping students safe.
I join my colleagues in calling on President Shafik to resign.
Congress will not be silent as Jewish students are targeted on campus. pic.twitter.com/GARHwgKF0M
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) April 24, 2024
Johnson’s demand comes after a delegation of House Republicans from New York sent a letter to Shafik asking her to resign.
“The situation unfolding on campus right now is a direct product of your policies and misguided decisions. As Representatives from the State of New York, many of our constituents are directly impacted by the unfolding chaos on Columbia’s campus. Based on these recent events and your testimony in front of Congress, we have no confidence in your leadership of this once esteemed institution,” the lawmakers led House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) wrote.
“While the rot is systemic, the responsibility rests squarely on your shoulders. It is time for Columbia University to turn the page on this shameful chapter. This can only be done through the restoration of order and your prompt resignation,” they added.
