'Oh, the irony': Mike Johnson slammed as he calls for resignation of Columbia University president over anti-Israel protests

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: House Speaker Mike Johnson met with Columbia University President Minouche Shafik on the school campus over the continuing pro-Palestinian protests by students on Wednesday, April 24.

Following their interaction, Johnson held a news conference on the steps of Columbia’s Low Library and called for Shafik's resignation if she was unable to end the protests. The Speaker further threatened federal funding for colleges that are unable to create safe environments for their Jewish students, reported NBC News.

Student protests against the Israel-Hamas war have sprung up in numerous colleges all across the country. Johnson told NBC that while he respects their right to protest, the current scenario had crossed the line into harassment.

Mike Johnson's statement at Columbia University

“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 stated at the news conference, flanked by some of his Republican colleagues including representatives Mike Lawler, Nicole Malliotakis, and Anthony D'Esposito.

"I am here today joining my colleagues and calling on President Shafik to resign if she cannot immediately bring order to this chaos. 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," he added.

Johnson was booed and heckled throughout his appearance in Columbia. Chants against him ranged from, "We can’t hear you," and “Mike, you suck!” to “Free Palestine.” After the conference, one of the protesters reportedly yelled, "Get the f**k out of here!"

At one point, the Speaker shook his head, saying, “Enjoy your free speech.”

Internet slams Mike Johnson's statement at Columbia University

Mike Johnson shared his speech at Columbia on X (formerly Twitter) where netizens took the opportunity to troll him and called for his resignation instead.

"So you are telling someone else to resign for failing those they are responsible for? Ohhhhhh the irony," wrote a user, as another echoed, "The irony. You have also proved yourself incapable of doing your basic duties. You should resign."

"You have very little chance at persuading people. You’ve pissed everyone off," stated a third.

"You are an expert at being incapable," jibed a fourth user.

 

"You looked so weak getting heckled during this press conference," mocked a fifth.

 

"You got booed!" a sixth user quipped.

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