During a call hosted by the centrist political group No Labels, Reps. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J., and Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., discussed the need for Congress and the FBI to crack down on student protesters. The bipartisan pair praised universities that called on police to quell protests and promised further investigations into student movements. They claimed that outside actors were funding and organizing these protests on campuses.
Gottheimer mentioned his conversations with the FBI regarding campus protests, emphasizing the importance of following the money trail to uncover the sources of funding for these movements. House Republicans announced plans to investigate federal funding for universities that held campus protests, aligning with Gottheimer and Lawler’s stance on the issue.
The discussion highlighted the theme of getting the FBI more involved in investigating American college campuses and concerns about outside agitators fueling anti-war protests. The involvement of Palestine solidarity groups and claims of orchestrated protests were brought up, with calls for federal investigations into these matters.
Lawler, known for co-sponsoring a bill to ban TikTok, echoed claims of external organizers influencing protests and emphasized the need to prevent hate speech and hostile environments in the U.S. Gottheimer also suggested that campus demonstrations were potentially led by outsiders and reiterated his stance that protesters support Hamas.
University leaders, including Bill Berkley from New York University, expressed concerns about outside influences in protests and called for FBI intervention. Berkley claimed to have deciphered messages indicating external involvement in protest efforts and questioned why the FBI had not taken action against these demonstrations.
The call also touched on the balance between free speech and antisemitism on college campuses, with Andrew Bursky from Washington University in St. Louis highlighting the need to draw clear lines to prevent chaos and anarchy. Bursky emphasized the importance of law enforcement in maintaining order on campuses amid escalating tensions.
Lawler praised the response of law enforcement agencies like the New York Police Department in addressing protests but suggested that the FBI could provide additional support. Gottheimer commended universities that took action against protests, including Princeton and Dartmouth, while expressing concerns about Jewish students’ safety.
The call underscored the ongoing efforts of lawmakers like Gottheimer and Lawler to defend Israel amid conflicts in Gaza and to address protests on college campuses. Their legislative actions, including bills to monitor antisemitism and condemn certain phrases, reflect their commitment to supporting Israel and cracking down on perceived threats.
In conclusion, the No Labels call featuring Gottheimer, Lawler, and university trustees highlighted the growing concerns over student protests and external influences on campus movements. The push for FBI involvement, investigations into funding sources, and efforts to combat hate speech underscore the complex dynamics at play in addressing protests and maintaining order on college campuses.