Biden on campus protesters: No “right to cause chaos”

President Biden defended students' right to protest peacefully during a speech Thursday, but condemned the "chaos" that has broken out on campuses nationwide amid protests against the Israel-Hamas war.

Why it matters: Biden is under tremendous political pressure as young Democrats and primary voters across key swing states have signaled opposition to his stance on Israel's war in Gaza.

When asked by a reporter, the president said he is not reconsidering U.S. policy.

Biden's Thursday remarks were his first public statements this week since the protests against the Israel-Hamas war have escalated dramatically, with hundreds of arrests across the country.

"There's the right to protest, but not the right to cause chaos," Biden said from the Roosevelt Room of the White House, adding that "order must prevail."

Driving the news: "Let me be clear, ... violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is. It's against the law when violence occurs, destroying property is not a peaceful protest. It's against the law," Biden said.