Rep. Bowman suggests that the suspension of Omar’s daughter was a ‘political’ retaliation.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y., accused Columbia University of engaging in “political reprisals” after the daughter of fellow “Squad” member Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., was suspended for refusing to leave an “unauthorized encampment” on the campus.

Isra Hirsi and two others were suspended by Barnard College, one of four Columbia undergraduate schools that has its own administration, after Columbia President Nemat Shafik ordered police to clear the campus’ South Lawn of anti-Israel protesters.

Bowman expressed his belief that Hirsi’s suspension was in response to the tough questioning her mother directed at Shafik during a hearing on Capitol Hill the day before.

“The day after @IlhanMN questioned Columbia leadership’s commitment to free academic expression, the school suspended her daughter? It’s clear what is happening here. Our educational institutions should not be in the business of political reprisals,” Bowman posted on Twitter.

Omar serves on the House Education and Workforce Committee, which had Shafik testify about the university’s efforts to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish students. However, Omar accused Shafik of stifling the free expression of “anti-war protesters” during the hearing.

The New York Post reported that the “anti-war protesters” present were chanting phrases supportive of Hamas, a terrorist group that attacked Israel and caused significant casualties.

Barnard College explained that Hirsi was suspended for not complying with official requests to leave the unauthorized encampment on Columbia’s campus.

In addition, Barnard stated that its senior staff also intervened to urge Barnard students participating in the encampment to leave and warned of potential sanctions if they did not comply.