Comer: Law Enforcement Must Take Action Against Pro-Hamas Camp in the Nation's Capital and Restore the Rule of Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2024
Contact: Austin Hacker

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman James Comer (R-Ky.), alongside Representatives Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla.), Eric Burlison (R-Mo.), and William Timmons (R-S.C.), met with George Washington University leadership in Washington, D.C. and toured the radical, antisemitic, and unlawful encampment on the university's campus. As Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Congressman Comer called on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to empower the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to clear out the unlawful encampment and restore the rule of law to protect all students and staff.

The House Oversight Committee has a constitutional responsibility to oversee the nation's capital and its affairs. Congressman Comer announced that the Oversight Committee will hold a hearing titled, "Oversight of D.C.'s Response to Unlawful Activity and Antisemitism," to seek answers from Mayor Muriel Bowser and MPD Chief Pamela Smith on the city's response to these unlawful, antisemitic protests occurring at George Washington University and surrounding public lands.

Congressman Comer delivers remarks and addresses media at a press conference held at George Washington University

Watch Congressman Comer's remarks HERE.

Congressman James Comer:"The Oversight Committee is here today because, as you saw yesterday from Speaker Johnson, this is a priority for the majority of the House of Representatives. We are seeing these protests spring up all across the United States. We are hearing from Jewish students they don't feel safe. We are hearing from university administrators that they don't feel like they are equipped to handle these types of protests.

"We have two roles on the Oversight Committee in these protests. First, we have legislative jurisdiction over the city of Washington, D.C. We've already passed legislation signed into law that rescinds D.C.'s soft-on-crime policies. We are going to have an emergency hearing Wednesday with the Mayor and Police Chief of Washington, D.C. We want to make sure MPD is working with campus police to ensure the safety of all the students. Second, we want to follow the money trail to see if outside groups are paying for these activities.

"The Oversight Committee is concerned over reports that the D.C. Police Department rejected George Washington University's request for help in removing the antisemitic and unlawful protestors occupying the campus and surrounding public lands. MPD's refusal to assist Gorge Washington University in their efforts to protect the Jewish student body and all students is disturbing and unacceptable."

Permalink: https://comer.house.gov/2024/5/comer-law-enforcement-must-take-action-against-pro-hamas-camp-in-the-nation-s-capital-and-restore-the-rule-of-law