Johnson condemns cancellation of Columbia’s main commencement ceremony

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent a statement Monday lambasting Columbia University for canceling its main graduation ceremony.

“President Shafik and Columbia University administrators have demonstrated a shocking reluctance to police their campus. They allowed outside agitators and terrorist-sympathizing students and faculty to rewrite campus rules and spew vile anti-Jewish aggression. Today, thousands of students who worked hard to earn their degrees will not get the recognition they deserve,” Johnson said.

“Because it is abundantly clear that President Shafik would rather cede control to Hamas supporters than restore order, Columbia’s Board of Trustees should immediately remove her and appoint a new president who will do so. Our once-great universities desperately need strong moral leadership, now more than ever,” he added.

Columbia said Monday it would only host school-level graduations, instead of the main university-wide ceremony.

“These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for our community. Just as we strive to make our graduation experience truly special, we continue to solicit student feedback and are exploring the possibility of a celebratory event on May 15 to replace the large formal ceremony,” the school said.

A university official said the main reason for the cancellation was “security concerns” but did not specify a specific threat.

The campus has been rocked by weeks of pro-Palestinian protests and hundreds of arrests over the encampment and storming of a university building by activists.

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