The Biden administration is facing criticism for its handling of a recent pro-Hamas protest in Washington, D.C. The demonstration, which took place on federal property at Union Station, has sparked outrage among Republican lawmakers and law enforcement officials.
Rep. Bruce Westerman (R., Ark.), chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, has accused the administration of turning a blind eye to the chaotic protest. In a letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Westerman claimed that the Interior Department denied requests for additional manpower from the U.S. Park Police prior to the event.
The protest, which coincided with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress, quickly descended into violence and vandalism. Protesters reportedly threw human feces at Park Police officers, burned an American flag, and defaced monuments with anti-American slogans. These actions go far beyond protected free speech and demonstrate a disturbing level of antisemitism and support for terrorism.
This is not peaceful protest. It is blatant antisemitism and a clear call for violence against Jewish people.
Hamas is a terrorist organization. Their stated mission is to kill all Jews, and they are still holding innocent people hostage. https://t.co/19OgPrhBVm
— Rep. Lois Frankel (@RepLoisFrankel) July 24, 2024
Westerman expressed his disgust at the scene, telling the Washington Free Beacon, “It boiled my red American blood to see somebody take down the American flag and burn it and then raise the flag of a foreign country on a flagpole on public land.” He added, “That crosses way past the free speech line, and it just infuriated me to tell you the truth.”
The Biden administration’s apparent reluctance to provide adequate resources to law enforcement raises questions about its commitment to protecting federal property and maintaining public safety. By failing to support the Park Police, the administration seems to be playing a dangerous political game, attempting to appease both pro-Hamas activists and Jewish voters.
BREAKING: All three American flags at Union Station in DC have been taken down, burned, and replaced with Palestinian flags by Pro-Palestine Kamala Harris supporters
This boils my blood like you won't believe
Where is the police to defend the flag?
pic.twitter.com/SyAmE5xUAg— George (@BehizyTweets) July 24, 2024
Kenneth Spencer, chairman of the U.S. Park Police’s labor union, highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the force. He noted that with only 530 sworn personnel covering three major jurisdictions – Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and New York City – the Park Police are severely understaffed. This lack of resources puts officers at risk and hampers their ability to respond effectively to violent protests.
“When something like this happens and we’re understaffed, it’s a huge blow to the morale of my membership,” Spencer explained. “If we can’t do our jobs properly, it ultimately falls on the officers that have their boots on the ground trying to do the hard work.”
The Biden administration’s failure to address these concerns is allowing antisemitism to gain ground. By not taking a firm stance against pro-Hamas demonstrators who openly support a terrorist organization, the administration is sending a troubling message about its priorities.
Republican lawmakers are calling for swift action. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) has urged the Department of Justice to prosecute the offenders with the same vigor used against January 6 rioters. Westerman has gone further, suggesting that any protesters in the country on visas or illegally should be deported immediately.
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As antisemitic incidents continue to rise across the United States, the Biden administration’s response to this protest sets a dangerous precedent. By seemingly prioritizing political maneuvering over public safety and the protection of federal property, the administration risks emboldening extremists and further undermining trust in law enforcement.