Speaker Johnson Attributes George Washington University Cleanup to Comer

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., appreciated the efforts of House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., in pressuring Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser to authorize the police to remove on-campus anti-Israel protesters and restore order at George Washington University.

Authorities initiated the clearing of a pro-Palestinian tent camp at the university early Wednesday, following the departure of numerous protesters who then marched to President Ellen Granberg’s residence.

Bowser and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith were scheduled to give testimony on the district’s handling of the protest at a House Committee on Oversight and Accountability hearing on Wednesday afternoon, but Comer canceled the hearing after the protest was cleared by the police.

“Last week, we announced a House-wide crackdown on antisemitism on college campuses,” Johnson stated. “This week, Chairman Comer and the Oversight Committee produced results by compelling Mayor Bowser to instruct the police to disband the weeks-long, pro-Hamas and unlawful encampments around George Washington University’s campus.

“While it is unfortunate that it took a congressional threat to hold D.C.’s mayor accountable in order to ensure the safety of Jewish students at George Washington University, I commend Chairman Comer’s resolute leadership.

“Through the House-wide initiative to combat antisemitism, we will investigate the reasons why security forces and campus administrators have failed to fulfill their primary responsibility of ensuring student safety.”

The Associated Press contributed to this story.