House Speaker Mike Johnson has issued a strong warning to lawmakers ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress, scheduled for Wednesday. In a formal letter, Johnson stated that any disruptions during the speech—whether from members of Congress or their guests—would be met with immediate removal and possible arrest. He confirmed that additional Capitol Police and sergeants-at-arms would be deployed to enforce a strict “zero-tolerance” policy.
The heightened security comes amid planned protests both inside and outside the Capitol. Demonstrators are organizing a large-scale march calling for Netanyahu’s arrest, with an expected turnout of 5,000 people, according to the Daily Wire. This follows an earlier protest on Tuesday, where hundreds of anti-Israel activists entered the Cannon House Office Building, forcing staff and interns to shelter in place. Several arrests were made, prompting Johnson to announce a boosted security presence throughout the Capitol complex.
Vice President Kamala Harris will not attend the speech, choosing instead to attend an event with the historically Black Zeta Phi Beta sorority, according to The Times of Israel. Her absence has drawn sharp criticism from Speaker Johnson, who accused her of “abandoning her seat” and called her decision “inexcusable.” In her place, Senate Foreign Relations Chair Ben Cardin will preside over the joint session. A growing number of Democratic lawmakers are also expected to boycott Netanyahu’s address, echoing the 2015 protest that saw nearly 60 Democrats refuse to attend his last appearance before Congress.
Meanwhile, political commentary surrounding Harris continues to intensify as she emerges as the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination. On HBO’s Real Time, host Bill Maher launched a scathing critique of Harris, calling her “deeply unlikable” and highlighting her poor performance in the 2020 Democratic primaries, where she failed to win any delegates. Maher listed other possible Democratic contenders, including Pete Buttigieg, Gavin Newsom, and Gretchen Whitmer, while expressing doubt over Harris’s electability.
Despite acknowledging Harris as “intelligent and accomplished,” Maher questioned why she has struggled to connect with voters. He took aim at her silence on key issues and her role as “border czar,” implying that her leadership on immigration has been ineffective. “You can count the number of delegates she won in the 2020 primaries on one hand—as long as that hand has no fingers,” Maher quipped, arguing that Democrats should prioritize a candidate who can win in November over historical firsts.
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