Mayor of Washington D.C. to Give Testimony at House Hearing on George Washington Encampment

Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser has agreed to testify in front of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, which is holding a hearing Wednesday on why the city has not responded to requests by George Washington University to clear an anti-Israel tent encampment.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., chair of the committee, initially told Newsmax on Monday that he recently spoke to Bowser, a Democrat, who had not confirmed her testimony. He anticipated her cooperation but had a subpoena ready if necessary.

Both the Oversight Committee, with legislative jurisdiction over D.C., and the mayor’s office have confirmed that Bowser and D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith will indeed testify, as reported by the Washington Examiner and other media outlets.

The tent encampment at the university is part of broader protests related to Israel’s conflict with Hamas in Gaza, causing unrest on college campuses nationwide and numerous arrests.

University President Ellen Granberg expressed concern in a statement Sunday, stating the protest had escalated into an illegal and potentially dangerous occupation of GW property, no longer driven by GW students but external individuals.

The Wall Street Journal reported further comments from Smith, clarifying police non-intervention due to absence of violent behavior or confrontations, respecting freedom of speech.

Granberg, however, stressed the university’s incapacity to manage the unprecedented situation alone in her statement.

Comer disclosed to Newsmax on Tuesday night the Oversight Committee’s recent campus visit, conversations with Granberg, and the urgent need for Metro Police Department’s assistance in managing trespassing, disruptive protesters at GW, particularly in their intimidation of Jewish students.

He emphasized the imminent hearing with the mayor and police chief to address their inaction, emphasizing the necessity for intervention and protection of students.