Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) spoke at Columbia University on Wednesday, where he was heckled by pro-Palestine protesters.
The Republican leader was joined by several GOP lawmakers during his speech, where he condemned demonstrators over their protests at the college in recent weeks. Both Democrats and Republicans have labeled the Columbia protests as “anti-Semitic” due to the use of pro-Hamas chants by some protesters near the campus.
Johnson referred to the protests as “detestable” and claimed the university is being overtaken by “radical and extreme ideologies” that target Jewish students.
As the speaker continued bashing the protesters, the crowd interrupted his remarks by chanting, “We can’t hear you!” Johnson responded by stating, “Enjoy your free speech:
JOHNSON: Neither Israel nor these Jewish students on this campus will ever stand alone. Just like today, Hamas issued an endorsement statement of the protesters on this campus. They called them the future Leaders of America. It is detestable. All of this has to be said, because the cherished traditions of this university are being overtaken right now by radical and extreme ideologies. They place a target on the backs of Jewish students in the United States. And here on this campus, a growing number of students have chanted in support of terrorists. They have chased down Jewish students. They have mocked them and reviled them. They have shouted racial epithets. They have screamed at those who bear the Star of David.
CROWD: We can’t hear you! We can’t hear you! We can’t hear you!
JOHNSON: Enjoy your free speech. They’ve told Jewish students who wear the Star of David to leave the country. And shamefully, some professors and faculty have joined the mobs. Things have gotten so out of control that the schools canceled in-person classes, and now they’ve come up with this hybrid model where they will discriminate against Jewish students. They are not allowed to come to class anymore for fear of their lives. And it’s detestable, as Columbia has allowed these lawless agitators and radicals to take over. The virus of anti-Semitism is spread across other campuses by some counts.
Over the weekend, Johnson led the Republican caucus in voting for legislation that provides over $90 billion in aid to Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan, and other U.S. allies. The bill was passed earlier this week by the Senate, and sent to the desk of President Joe Biden.
Watch the clip above via CNN.
