President Joe Biden has refrained from commenting on the recent student protests and police crackdowns related to the war in Gaza, as Republicans attempt to leverage the unrest on college campuses against Democrats.
Protests at various colleges and universities have escalated, with some demonstrators refusing to disband encampments, leading administrators to seek law enforcement intervention to clear them forcibly. This has resulted in clashes that have garnered attention from both politicians and the media.
Biden's most recent public statement on the matter was over a week ago when he condemned antisemitic protests and expressed concern for those lacking understanding of the situation involving Palestinians.
The White House has faced numerous inquiries from the press, with Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stating that Biden is closely monitoring the situation. She emphasized that while peaceful demonstrations are protected forms of free speech, actions such as forcibly taking over buildings, as seen at Columbia University, cross the line into unlawful behavior.
Biden, known for his preference for compromise over activism, has historically avoided involvement in protests. Despite criticism from the White House and Biden's refusal to comply with protesters' demands to cut off U.S. support for Israel, Republicans have blamed Democrats for the disorder and have used it as a backdrop for their press conferences.
Former President Donald Trump, a prominent Republican figure, has also criticized Biden for his perceived lack of response to the situation, calling on him to address the issue and denounce the unrest on college campuses.
While the White House has condemned antisemitism, it has been hesitant to directly engage with the ongoing protests. Jean-Pierre deflected questions during a recent briefing, stating that decisions regarding protester discipline, police intervention, and event rescheduling are the responsibility of the respective universities and colleges.
Biden is scheduled to deliver the commencement address at Morehouse University in Atlanta on May 19, marking his upcoming visit to a college campus amidst the ongoing unrest.
