Johnson condemns Columbia's main commencement ceremony cancellation

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

“President Shafik and Columbia University administrators have displayed a shocking unwillingness to control their campus. They’ve allowed outside agitators and terrorist-sympathizing students and faculty to rewrite campus rules and spew vile, anti-Jewish aggression. Now, thousands of students who’ve worked hard to achieve 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. Our once great universities desperately need strong moral leadership, now more than ever,” he added.  

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

“These past few weeks have been incredibly difficult for our community. Just as we are focused on making our graduation experience truly special, we continue to solicit student feedback and are looking at the possibility of a festive event on May 15 to take the place of the large, formal ceremony,” the school said.

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

The campus has been roiled by weeks of pro-Palestinian protests on campus and hundreds of arrests due to the encampment and activists taking over a university building.