Biden says ‘order must prevail’ in first public comments since riots at Columbia, UCLA
Joe Biden,Pro-Palestine Protests,Israel Hamas Violence,Colleges And Universities
President Biden broke 10 days of silence about pro-terror anarchy on college campuses Thursday, saying the US is not a “lawless country” and “order must prevail” while acknowledging the right to peaceful demonstrations — and rejecting calls to bring out the National Guard.
Biden, 81, spoke for three-and-a-half minutes in the White House Roosevelt Room after taking sustained criticism for his lack of public comments as chaos raged across the country.
“It is against the law when violence occurs. Destroying property is not a peaceful protest, it’s against the law. Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations, none of this is a peaceful protest,” the president said.”Threatening people, intimidating people, instilling fear in people is not peaceful protest, it is against the law.”
Related Coverage
AllSides Picks
Headline Roundup
Does the US Have Enough Long-Range Missiles to Continue the War in Iran?
August 4th, 2026
Headline Roundup
Aaron Rodgers Criticizes Fauci, ESPN During Pat McAfee Show Appearance
August 4th, 2026
Recommended Reading
When the DSA Moment Has Arrived
Dan Schnur
August 3rd, 2026
The Insight
The Insight: What NYC's City-Run Grocery Stores Mean for America
AllSides Staff
July 31st, 2026