House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) is receiving criticism after canceling a congressional hearing to explore Washington, D.C.’s response to George Washington University‘s pro-Palestinian student protests.
Comer announced the cancellation of the hearing on Wednesday following the clearing of the campus protesters by the Metropolitan Police Department earlier that morning. The demonstrations had been ongoing for 14 days and led to 33 arrests after the police gave six warnings for the students to disperse from the area.
Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser was set to testify alongside MPD Chief Pamela Smith on Capitol Hill on Wednesday.
“It was unfortunate the situation at GW forced the Oversight Committee to act; however it was apparent that the DC police force was not going to do their job,” Comer said in a statement. “Therefore, after meeting with GW leadership and touring the encampment, we decided to hold a public hearing to get answers as to why the Mayor would not uphold the law.”
He added, “I am pleased that the potential Oversight hearing led to swift action by Mayor Bowser and MPD Chief Smith. We will continue to hold D.C. officials accountable to ensure our nation’s capital is safe for all.”
Comer’s response received blowback from several Washingtonians seeking accountability and answers for why the protests were allowed to continue for a lengthy period of time on the GWU campus.
“Huh? Why was the hearing canceled? Why wouldn’t you drill down on why it took so long for Bowser to let the police clear GW out in the first place?” Washington radio host Vince Coglianese said in response to the hearing’s cancellation.
“Good grief. Letting her off the hook. What a disappointment!” radio personality Julie Gunlock said.
“Republicans are so feckless. What a farce of a government we have,” another social media user said.
“The GOP cancelled the hearing with the DC Mayor. How is that being held accountable?” another person asked.
One social media user reacted, “It took way too long!! Still needs to be held accountable for taking too long!”
A Florida congressman defended the House Oversight Committee’s efforts to pressure the mayor and police to act on the growing encampment on the campus, though.
“For days Hamas apologists illegally overtook GW & harassed/intimidated Jewish Americans. Mayor Bowser refused to clear them out. ONLY AFTER @GOPoversight met w/ GW leadership, toured the encampment & scheduled a hearing for today, did DC act. It NEVER should have come to this,” Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) said on Wednesday. Donalds had toured the student protest encampment first-hand last week.
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“It should not take an act of Congress for Mayor Bowser to do her job. Once again, @GOPOversight
and the @HouseGOP are GOVERNING where the Democrats have FAILED,” House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) said.
“It shouldn’t have taken the threat of a Congressional hearing for DC Mayor Bowser to finally allow DC Police to respond to George Washington University’s call for them to clear the anti-Semitic and unlawful encampments. It should’ve been done on Day 1,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) said in response to Comer’s hearing cancellation.
