Columbia denies students’ claims they’re calling in National Guard to close pro-Palestine encampment as NYC college is engulfed by anti-Semitism scandal

A spokesperson for Columbia University denounced “untrue and unsubstantiated” claims that the Ivy League institution has called in the National Guard to pro-Palestinian camps on campus.

It comes as protesters claim school officials have threatened to call the National Guard to the campus, which has been under siege by demonstrations since last Wednesday.

Ben Chang, the school’s vice president of communications, told the press Wednesday about rumors that they had contacted the National Guard: “Let me be clear: that is not true and an unsubstantiated claim.”

The university reconfirmed last night that protesters will continue their talks over the next 48 hours after the group ignored a midnight deadline to clear the West Lawns.

However, he did say that the protests as things currently stand are against the university’s rules and that in the future only people with a university ID will be allowed on campus.

“The safety of our community is our first priority,” Chang added. “This also applies to the safety of the encampment, which continues to grow.”

“Our goal is to restore order and if we can achieve that through dialogue, we will do so,” he continued. The pro-Palestinian gang has held the school and their Jewish classmates hostage in fear since they began setting up tents outside the campus.

He also confirmed that Columbia University President Minouche Shafik met with House Speaker Mike Johnson and other members of Congress on Tuesday afternoon.

Johnson waded into hostile scenes at Columbia University as the Republican confronted a crowd of anti-Israel protesters on Wednesday.

He dismissed the cheers and jeers from students and instead condemned the protest, the latest virus in “anti-Semitism.”

He labeled the Columbia crowd “lawless agitators and radicals” and questioned their ability to become “leaders of America” — while praising Jewish students who remain committed to their education.

“We will not remain silent while Jewish students are expected to run for their lives,” Johnson warned.

The crowd shouted and jeered in an attempt to upset him, but Johnson was unperturbed.

A spokesperson confirmed that Minouche Shafik, president of Columbia University, met with House Speaker Mike Johnson and other members of Congress on Tuesday afternoon

‘Enjoy your freedom of speech!’ he replied as he left before delivering one final punch, “Stop wasting your parents’ money.”

The Louisiana lawmaker arrived on the New York campus Wednesday afternoon, hours after calling on Columbia’s president to resign during a morning radio show.

“What we’re seeing on these college campuses across the country is disgusting and unacceptable,” Johnson told The Hugh Hewitt Show.

“Every leader in this country, every political official, every citizen of good conscience must speak out and say this is not who we are in America, and we must be held accountable.”

So far, more than a hundred activists have been arrested and demonstrators have been ordered to disperse.

On Tuesday evening, it was reported that NYPD counter-terrorism officers mobilized close to the protest.

At least two Republican senators, Josh Hawley and Tom Cotton, called on President Joe Biden to send the National Guard to campuses across the country where Jewish students say they feel threatened by the growing number of protests.

Senator Hawley of Missouri told the president to take action on his Passover statement, in which he said, “We have seen intimidation and calls for violence against Jews. This blatant anti-Semitism is reprehensible and dangerous.”

“You must immediately mobilize the National Guard and all other authorities necessary to ensure the safety of Jewish American students and citizens,” Hawley wrote.

In Texas, Governor Greg Abbott said authorities will continue to detain protesters.

“Arrests are currently being made and will continue until the crowd disperses,” he wrote on social media.

“These protesters belong in jail. Anti-Semitism will not be tolerated in Texas. Period of time. Students who participate in hateful, anti-Semitic protests at any public college or university in Texas must be expelled.”

This is a breaking news story.