Speaker Johnson Says Anyone Disrupting Netanyahu Speech Will Be Arrested
House Speaker Mike Johnson has issued a stern warning to fellow lawmakers ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress on Wednesday, stating that any disruptions during the speech will lead to arrests.
In a letter, Johnson informed lawmakers that additional sergeants-at-arms and Capitol Police would be present to manage any disruptions, emphasizing his “zero-tolerance” stance for any disorderly conduct by lawmakers or their guests.
“If any disturbance does occur, the Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police will remove the offending visitor(s) from the gallery and subject them to arrest,” Johnson wrote. If any lawmakers are involved in disruptions, they will be instructed to cease by the sergeant-at-arms.
Protests are anticipated outside the Capitol during Netanyahu’s visit, including a planned 5,000-person march demanding his arrest, according to the Daily Wire.
Vice President Kamala Harris, now the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination, will not be presiding over Netanyahu’s address. Instead, she will attend a separate event for the Zeta Phi Beta sorority, as reported by the Times of Israel. Senator Ben Cardin, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will oversee the joint session.
Johnson criticized Harris for “abandoning her seat,” calling her absence “inexcusable.”
In 2015, nearly 60 Democrats boycotted Netanyahu’s address to Congress. This time, an even larger number of Democrats are expected to skip the speech.
On Tuesday, hundreds of anti-Israel protesters gathered inside the Capitol’s Cannon Building, prompting staff and interns to barricade themselves in their offices, according to Fox News. Several demonstrators were arrested. Johnson announced an increased police presence around the Capitol complex and the House Chamber.
Netanyahu’s speech is set to begin at 2 p.m. EDT.
Meanwhile, HBO “Real Time” host Bill Maher criticized Harris and her chances of defeating former President Donald Trump in the upcoming election.
Maher argued that Harris is deeply unlikable and reminded viewers that she won no delegates during her 2020 presidential campaign.
“Yes, replacing a president as his party’s candidate this late will seem like a big deal,” Maher said. “For about three days, and then we’ll all be over it.”
Maher suggested several potential Democratic replacements for Biden, including Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, California Governor Gavin Newsom, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Vice President Kamala Harris.
If elected, Harris would become the first female, first black woman, and first Asian president — none of which impressed Maher.
“I don’t vote for who will be the first, I vote for who will win and for whatever reason, Harris has never been popular,” Maher said, noting Harris’ failure to win any delegates in the 2020 primaries.
Maher criticized Harris for her handling of the U.S. southern border crisis when appointed as the “border czar” by Biden, questioning why she isn’t more well-liked despite being “intelligent and accomplished.”
Harris is already facing significant challenges in her bid to become the Democratic nominee and take on Trump. During an interview on Fox News, contributor Ari Fleischer discussed the “buyer’s remorse” Democrats might have with Harris.
“Maybe this is one of the reasons why they have not taken a position. What Ryan said, I think the Democrats are going to have buyer’s remorse here. After the press rallies around her, if she doesn’t pass Trump in the polls after this huge press love affair, what does she have?” Fleischer said.