Speaker Johnson calls on Columbia University president to resign and threatens federal funding for colleges

After meeting with Columbia University President Minouche Shafik, House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday called on her to resign if she can’t tamp down Gaza war protests at the school and threatened federal funding for colleges that don't create safe environments for their Jewish students.

“We just can’t allow this kind of hatred and antisemitism to flourish on our campuses. And it must be stopped in its tracks. Those who are perpetrating this violence should be arrested,” Johnson, R-La., said on the steps of Columbia’s Low Library, flanked by several of his Republican colleagues.

“I am here today joining my colleagues and calling on President Shafik to resign if she cannot immediately bring order to this chaos," he continued. "As speaker of the House, I’m committing today that the Congress will not be silent as Jewish students are expected to run for their lives and stay home from their classes hiding in fear.”

The speaker's appearance was met by boos and heckling from the crowd. After ending his news conference, someone yelled: "Get the f--- out of here!"

The protesters chanted, “We can’t hear you," and, “Mike, you suck!”

Students also chanted, “Free Palestine.” From where Johnson stood, he could look out beyond the crowd of student protesters and see the tent encampment.

At one point Johnson shook his head and said, “Enjoy your free speech.”

Johnson’s remarks came after his delegation met with Shafik and top university officials, urging them to do more to stop the harassment of Jewish students at Columbia and to end the pro-Palestinian encampment that has sprung up on the campus. Other college campuses around the country have seen similar demonstrations against Israel’s war in Gaza.

Johnson, in an interview with NBC