State responses to student protests fall along red vs. blue lines

Pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses are getting very different responses from elected officials in red and blue states.  

Texas is seeing pushback after immediately responding to a peaceful demonstration with arrests, and Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has threatened expulsion for students who engage in unsanctioned activism, while New York has made clear the National Guard will not be called in as authorities negotiate with the flagship Columbia University encampment.  

“In general, officials are dispersing these camps before they can form more forcefully in red states than in blue states, but I think it’s a reflection of the political climate on these campuses and decisions of the leaders of those universities,” said Jay Greene, senior research fellow in the Center for Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation.