Mike Johnson urges Columbia president to step down amid Israel-Gaza protests due to perceived incompetence

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is joining calls for Columbia University President Minouche Shafik to resign over her efforts to handle growing antisemitism on campus following clashes between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel protesters.

In an interview with Hugh Hewitt on Wednesday morning, Johnson called what’s happening at Columbia under Shafik’s leadership “unconscionable.”

“This President Shafik has shown to be a very weak, inept leader,” Johnson said. “They cannot even guarantee the safety of Jewish students? They’re expected to run for their lives and stay home from class? It’s just, it’s maddening. What we’re seeing on these college campuses across the country is disgusting and unacceptable.”

Johnson’s interview comes hours before he is set to meet with Jewish students at Columbia University and have a meal with Rabbi Yuda Drizin, followed by a press conference where he will be joined by several New York House Republicans. The speaker’s office confirmed to the Washington Examiner that Reps. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY), and Virginia Foxx (R-NC) will be in attendance.

Columbia is one of several universities experiencing an uptick in antisemitism as pro-Palestinian demonstrators continue to call for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Gaza. Last week, more than 100 students at Columbia University and Barnard College were arrested after being involved with a “Gaza Solidarity Encampment.” The encampments began last Wednesday when several university leaders were on Capitol Hill testifying on the rise in antisemitic behavior on campuses.

Ahead of Johnson’s visit, Columbia announced it extended negotiations with pro-Palestinian student leaders to clear the encampments on the school’s lawn before further action is taken against them. Originally, protesters had a deadline of Tuesday to clear out before police may have stepped in to dismantle the encampment. However, the university cited significant progress had been made in discussions with the student leaders and said another 48-hour extension has been given.

“In light of this constructive dialogue, the University will continue conversations for the next 48 hours,” Columbia said, per the Hill.

Johnson echoed comments Sen. Tom Cotton (A-K) made earlier on Hewitt’s show about how to handle the students who are protesting and engaging in antisemitic behavior.

“We need to revoke federal funding to these universities if they cannot keep control,” the speaker said. “We need to revoke these student visas for these violent protesters. You don’t have a right to be here and to do this.”

“But Jewish students have a right to be able to peacefully attend classes,” Johnson continued. “They’re trying to get an education, and this is just madness.”

On Monday, 10 House Republicans led by Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) sent a letter to Shafik asking her to resign. Foxx, who chairs the House Education and the Workforce Committee, sent a letter to Shafik scolding her for the “ongoing chaos” at Columbia.

Stefanik has taken congressional action on instances of antisemitism on college campuses that resulted in the resignation of University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill in December last year and Harvard President Claudine Gay’s resignation in January.

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House Democrats have also called for Shafik to work harder to protect Jewish students. At a press conference on Monday, Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-FL) warned Shafik to look at Magill and Gay as examples of “what not to do.”

The Washington Examiner reached out to Columbia University for comment.