White House expresses disappointment over cancellation of Columbia Commencement

The White House criticized the cancellation of Columbia University’s main commencement ceremony this year due to pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, calling it unfortunate that a small group of protesters went too far.

Columbia announced on Monday that the main commencement event would not take place due to security concerns and other factors.

The school expressed its disappointment in a statement, mentioning the possibility of an alternative festive event on May 15 to replace the formal ceremony.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that it was regrettable that a minority of protesters disrupted the event for their classmates.

President Joe Biden had previously condemned the protests at Columbia and other universities across the country, emphasizing that vandalism and disruption are not peaceful forms of protest.