Speaker Mike Johnson slams Columbia University students at 'Gaza solidarity encampment'

House Speaker Mike Johnson waded into hostile scenes at Columbia University as the Republican confronted a mass of anti-Israel protestors on Wednesday. 

Johnson brushed off the boos and jeers of students and instead condemned the protest, the latest in the 'virus of antisemitism'. 

He slammed the crowds in Columbia as being 'lawless agitators and radicals' and questioned their ability to become 'leaders of America' - as he praised the Jewish students who remain committed to their education. 

'We will not be silent while Jewish students are expected to run for their lives,' Johnson warned. 

The crowd yelled and jeered in an attempt to rattle him but Johnson was unperturbed. 

'Enjoy your free speech!' he replied as he left before issuing one final slap down: 'Stop wasting your parents money'.  

Johnson brushed off the boos and jeers of students and instead condemned the protest, the latest in the 'virus of antisemitism'.

The Louisiana lawmaker arrived at the New York campus on Wednesday afternoon, hours after he called for the Columbia president to resign on a morning radio show. 

'What we’re seeing on these college campuses across the country is disgusting and unacceptable,' Johnson told The Hugh Hewitt Show. 

'Every leader in this country, every political official, every citizen of good conscience has to speak out and say that this is not who we are in America, and we have got to have accountability.' 

His decision to challenge protestors in New York came two days after over 100 pro-Palestine students and faculty were arrested by the NYPD in furious scenes on nearby New York University (NYU) campus. 

House Speaker Mike Johnson (pictured Saturday) is set to confront pro-Palestine protestors on Columbia University campus, hours after he called for the college's president to resign 

Columbia is among dozens of colleges that have become swept up in Israel-Hamas protests in recent weeks 

So-called 'Gaza encampments' have become common sights at college campuses across the nation, where students are setting up tents and refusing to move in the face of law enforcement 

Columbia is among dozens of colleges that have become swept up in Israel-Hamas protests, with other prestigious universities including Harvard and MIT thrown into chaos. 

So-called 'Gaza encampments' have become common sights on campuses in recent weeks, with students setting up tents and refusing to move in the face of law enforcement. 

For Johnson, his visit to Columbia University came as a clear sign of his support for Israel in the ongoing conflict, after he ushered through a sweeping foreign aid bill that sent $26 billion to Israel. 

He was also set to meet with Jewish students on campus and share a meal with the university's Rabbi Yuda Drizin. 

Following his meeting, Johnson's office said he would hold a press conference, where he is expected to double down on his call for Columbia President Nemat Shafik to resign.

On the morning radio show, he slammed her as 'unconscionable', adding that she has 'shown to be a very weak, inept leader.' 

'They cannot even guarantee the safety of Jewish students? They’re expected to run for their lives and stay home from class? It’s just, it’s, it’s maddening,' he said. 

The House Speaker has also called for federal funding to be halted at universities that fail to clamp down on anti-Israel protests. 

Johnson's decision to challenge protestors in New York came two days after over 100 pro-Palestine students and faculty were arrested by the NYPD in furious scenes on nearby New York University (NYU) campus (pictured) 

Johnson's visit was not welcomed by more than just those on Columbia's campus, as New York Governor Kathy Hochul told reporters on Wednesday that he should stay in Washington. 

'I think politicizing this and bringing the entourage to put a spotlight on this is only adding to the division,' Hochul said. 

'A speaker worth the title should really be trying to heal people and not divide them, so I don't think it adds to anything.'