Republican and Democratic officials addressed the ongoing protests on college campuses against the war in Gaza during cable news interviews on Sunday morning.
Mitch Landrieu, the national co-chair of the Biden-Harris campaign and former New Orleans mayor, emphasized the importance of rejecting both antisemitism and Islamophobia on college campuses. He highlighted President Joe Biden's focus on upholding the core principles of protected speech as outlined in the US Constitution. Landrieu stressed the right to peaceful protest while condemning any acts of violence.
In response to Sen. Bernie Sanders' comparison of the protests to 'Biden's Vietnam,' Landrieu dismissed the analogy as an exaggeration, citing the unique circumstances of the current situation.
Former Republican Sen. Ben Sasse, now serving as the president of the University of Florida, called on school officials nationwide to take responsibility for managing campus activities. Sasse emphasized the university's commitment to free speech while enforcing regulations on conduct during protests, including restrictions on disruptive behavior.
University of Florida's spring commencement ceremonies proceeded in person, contrasting with other institutions that faced challenges in organizing graduation events amidst the protests.
Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina expressed support for peaceful protests but raised concerns about the lack of peaceful demonstrations on college campuses. Scott criticized President Biden for what he perceived as insufficient condemnation of antisemitism and accused him of pandering to his political base in response to the protests.
Scott also highlighted the consideration of federal funding as a privilege for colleges and universities, suggesting that administrators should factor in the potential impact on funding when addressing unrest on campus.
