Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, has initiated an inquiry into the National Park Service (NPS) regarding the handling of a pro-Hamas protest that took place in Washington, D.C. on July 24.
Despite prior notification and the issuance of a substantial permit to the left-wing anti-Israel group ANSWER Coalition, NPS reportedly deployed only 29 officers, leaving them significantly outnumbered by the protesters. In contrast, Amtrak Police, responsible for security at Union Station, notably increased their presence and effectively managed the area during the demonstration.
Cruz's letter to NPS criticized the agency for inadequate coordination with other law enforcement entities, underestimating the protest's magnitude, and failing to request additional support. He is also seeking detailed information on NPS's preparedness, coordination efforts, and strategies to prevent future pro-Hamas demonstrations in the nation's capital.
The Senator expressed his concern in the letter, stating, 'This should have never been allowed to happen. The National Park Service had advance notice of the large anti-Israel protests and ample time to prepare.'
Cruz is also seeking intelligence details regarding the protest, including information on the ANSWER Coalition's activities, steps taken by NPS to prepare for potential rioting, the number of officers deployed, body-camera footage from U.S. Park Police officers, and post-action reports. He highlighted the insufficient resources allocated by NPS, which he deemed negligent, leaving the U.S. Park Police 'hopelessly outnumbered.'
During the July 24 protest, demonstrators vandalized several monuments and historical sites, burned American flags, defaced property, and chanted incendiary slogans. At Union Station, near the U.S. Capitol, protesters burned an American flag, defaced a statue with anti-Israel messages, and replaced American flags with Palestinian flags.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had addressed Congress during the protest, criticizing the ongoing conflict with Hamas. The demonstration occurred amid the backdrop of the war between Israel and Hamas, which has been ongoing since October 7.
