The White House has confirmed that President Joe Biden is aware of the pro-Palestinian protests that have been taking place on college campuses across the United States. White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates stated that the administration is closely monitoring these situations and has condemned what he described as 'alarming rhetoric' at some student protests.
Bates emphasized that while the administration supports every American's right to peacefully protest, calls for violence, physical intimidation, and hateful, anti-Semitic rhetoric are unacceptable and will be denounced. He stressed that President Biden believes that silence in the face of such behavior is complicity and is committed to ensuring the safety of all Americans.
Regarding calls from some Republicans to deploy the National Guard to respond to campus protests at Columbia University, Bates did not provide a direct response. He noted that the decision to deploy National Guard members would be within the purview of New York Governor Kathy Hochul.
The White House's stance on the protests underscores the administration's commitment to upholding the right to peaceful protest while condemning any form of violence or hate speech. As tensions continue to simmer on college campuses, the administration remains vigilant in monitoring the situation and taking necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals involved.
