Former President Trump slammed Columbia University for closing its campus amid violent anti-Israel, pro-Gaza protests, urging the faculty to “gain a little strength” and “courage,” whereas saying the transfer “means the other side wins.”
Trump took reporter questions in Trump Tower on Tuesday night earlier than a gathering with former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso, who’s the present vp of the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MOVES TO HYBRID LEARNING ON MAIN CAMPUS AMID ANTISEMITIC PROTESTS
The former president and presumptive 2024 Republican presidential nominee was requested if he would go to with Jewish college students this week amid protests, following the information that House Speaker Mike Johnson plans to go to Columbia University’s campus Wednesday.
Anti-Israel protesters collect on the campus of Columbia University in New York City on April 23, 2024. Tensions flared between pro-Palestinian scholar protesters and faculty directors at a number of US universities on April 22, as in-person courses have been cancelled and demonstrators arrested. (Photo by Charly TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP by way of Getty Images)
“Well, we have a lot of different things, but what’s going on with the colleges—and, they’re closing Columbia now? I mean, it’s just crazy,” Trump stated. “Columbia should gain a little strength, a little courage and keep their school open.”
Trump’s feedback got here after college students at Columbia University have been instructed that courses had shifted to digital or hybrid amid ongoing security issues stemming from the anti-Israel protests filling the campus.
“It’s crazy because that means the other side wins,” Trump stated Tuesday. “When you start closing down colleges and universities—that means the other side [wins.]”
Anti-Israel agitators assemble an encampment on Columbia University’s campus in New York City on Monday, April 22, 2024. The college introduced that each one courses could be held nearly right now in response to the continuing demonstrations on campus. (Peter Gerber)
The former president, pointing to Aso and Japan stated “in Japan, they don’t know about that. They don’t close. They keep it open. They make it work.”
“The people running Columbia have made a grave mistake,” Trump stated.
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Columbia University’s up to date tips, as of Tuesday morning, stated all programs on the Morningside foremost campus have moved to hybrid studying “until the end of each school’s Spring 2024 semester.”
“Safety is our highest priority as we strive to support our students’ learning and all the required academic operations,” the varsity’s Provost Angela Olinto wrote in an announcement launched early Tuesday morning. “It’s vital that teaching and learning continue during this time.”
NYPD officers patrol as anti-Israel agitators exhibit exterior of Columbia University’s campus in New York City on Thursday, April 18, 2024. Multiple college students have been arrested as officers cleared an encampment on the campus’ garden. (Peter Gerber for Fox News Digital)
IVY LEAGUE ANTI-ISRAEL AGITATORS’ PROTESTS SPIRAL INTO ‘ACTUAL TERROR ORGANIZATION,’ PROFESSOR WARNS
The announcement comes amid continued antisemitic protests on the New York City campus and only a day after courses have been made digital on Monday.
The steering, signed in tandem with Chief Operating Officer Cas Holloway, additionally impacts school and workers.
The steering comes amid days of protests at Columbia, the place anti-Israel agitators initially fashioned an encampment — establishing tents and refusing to depart— on the campus final week. The protesters have marched in and across the campus demanding the varsity lose affiliations with teams that assist Israel amid its conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of hundreds of civilian deaths.
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT ORDERS VIRTUAL CLASSES AS ANTI-ISRAEL PROTESTS TAKE OVER: ‘WE NEED A RESET’
Columbia University President Dr. Nemat “Minouche” Shafik stated in an announcement posted within the early hours Monday morning, that she was “deeply saddened” by sure actions of the agitators and known as for a “reset.”
Anti-Israel protesters chanted and demonstrated Thursday, April 17, 2024, at Columbia University. (bxantiwar by way of Storyful)
“I am deeply saddened by what is happening on our campus,” Shafik wrote. “Our bonds as a community have been severely tested in ways that will take a great deal of time and effort to reaffirm. Students across an array of communities have conveyed fears for their safety and we have announced additional actions we are taking to address security concerns. The decibel of our disagreements has only increased in recent days. These tensions have been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas.”
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Shafik, on Monday, stated the college wants “a reset.”
More than 100 of the protesters have been arrested final week amid the unrest.
Anti-Israel agitators assemble an encampment on Columbia University’s campus in New York City on Monday, April 22, 2024. The college introduced that each one courses could be held nearly right now in response to the continuing demonstrations on campus. (Peter Gerber)
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Antisemitic protests have damaged out at schools and universities throughout the nation together with New York University in New York City and Yale University in New Haven, Ct.
Fox News’ Lawrence Richard contributed to this report.
