New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) is expressing disapproval of Speaker Mike Johnson’s (R-La.) visit to Columbia University, saying he is deepening divisions by coming to talk to Jewish students.
“I believe making this political and bringing a group to highlight this is only increasing the separation,” Hochul told reporters, according to Politico. “A Speaker who deserves the title should focus on uniting people rather than dividing them, so I don’t think it contributes anything.”
Hochul suggested that Johnson should focus on the bipartisan border security bill instead, which, she said, would help address the ongoing situation with migrants in New York.
“It appears to me that there are many more responsibilities and crises to address in Washington,” Hochul said. “I would encourage the Speaker to return and perhaps consider the migrant bill, the bill to address border closures, so we can address the actual crisis that New York is facing.”
Republicans have been criticizing the leaders of several prestigious East Coast universities for months regarding their handling of protests and protection of Jewish students.
This week, New York’s House delegation called for the resignation of Columbia’s president.
Protests on the school’s campus have resulted in Columbia cancelling in-person classes for the remainder of the term.
