Democratic leaders referred to as out for mollifying pro-Palestinian rioters at DNC headquarters

Democratic leaders are below hearth for gradual responses to pro-Palestinian demonstrators’ assault on the Democratic National Committee headquarters Wednesday.

“Sometimes saying nothing says everything,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Jack Pandol stated. “Multiple officers were injured in the line of duty, and Democrats can’t even offer a simple thank you — let alone condemn the antisemitic riot.

“The glaring truth is, these pro-Hamas rioters represent Democrats’ base of support and they are terrified to offend them,” he stated.

Democratic leaders later issued a press release thanking the police.

The Democratic leaders additional acknowledged that “some protesters escalated their activity in a manner that exceeded a peaceful demonstration.” That line, for critics on the political proper, was harking back to the “mostly peaceful” Black Lives Matter riots of 2020.

“I fully condemn this mostly peaceful protest at the Democratic Party’s HQ in Washington by Hamas sympathizers,” tweeted Rep. Matt Gaetz, Florida Republican.

Omri Ceren, nationwide safety adviser for Sen. Ted Cruz, added: “Mostly peaceful attempt to violently storm Congress.”

Others pointed to the discrepancy between the understated Democratic response to the leftist rioters versus the celebration’s full-throated condemnation of pro-Trump rioters on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

“I expect the GOP to lead the call for a House Subcommittee on the 11/15 Insurrection,” stated Florida felony protection lawyer Eric Matheny, co-host of the “Bob & Eric Save America” podcast on X.

President Biden applauded the police however kept away from criticizing the mob when he referred to as a DNC assembly on Thursday.

The White House stated in a press release that Mr. Biden and first woman Jill Biden “expressed appreciation to law enforcement who kept everyone inside the DNC safe last night, including staff and Members of Congress.”

“The president and first lady also thanked the staffers for all they do, wished them a happy Thanksgiving and told them to take care of each other,” the assertion stated.

Early Thursday, House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the actions of the demonstrators and praised the work of the Capitol Police.

“Last night, pro-Hamas protesters outside the U.S. Capitol violently attacked the Democratic National Committee headquarters. I condemn this criminal activity, which injured six brave Capitol Police officers, in the strongest terms,” stated Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican. “As Americans, we must unite with one voice in steadfast support of our ally Israel.

“Congress will not be intimidated by this vile display of anti-Semitism,” he added.

Lawmakers had been evacuated Wednesday night time from the DNC headquarters close to the Capitol as roughly 200 demonstrators began preventing with legislation enforcement and storming the constructing. The mob, whose members donned shirts with the message “Cease Fire Now,” was illegally protesting exterior the DNC constructing, simply south of the Capitol complicated.

Six Capitol Police officers had been handled for accidents, together with from pepper spray and punchings. U.S. Capitol Police stated one man was arrested.

Videos of the occasion confirmed the group shouting obscenities at cops who shaped a protecting ring across the constructing.

The DNC was internet hosting a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee candidate occasion. The Democrats contained in the constructing included House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Suzan DelBene.

In a joint assertion launched Thursday, the Democratic leaders thanked Capitol Police for making certain the lawmakers had been protected.

“We are thankful for the service and professionalism of the U.S. Capitol Police officers who worked to ensure that members, staff and visitors were able to safely exit,” the assertion stated. “We strongly support the First Amendment right to freedom of expression and encourage anyone exercising that right to do so peacefully.”

Rep. Brad Sherman, California Democrat, stated he was evacuated from the celebration headquarters.

“Was just evacuated from the #DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protesters grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building,” Mr. Sherman posted on X.

“Thankful to the police officers who stopped them and for helping me and my colleagues get out safely,” he stated.

Mr. Sherman additionally stated, “Apparently, these pro-#Hamas demonstrators want #Republicans to prevail in the next Congressional election.”

IfNotNow, the group that led the protest with different left-leaning pro-Palestinian teams, stated in a press release that police injured 90 protesters.

“Capitol Police were the ones who used pepper spray, not us. Capitol Police were violent, not us,” stated one of many teams’ a number of posts on X. “We can’t let this distract from the real violence: the starvation and murder of the people of Gaza, backed by Dem politicians.”

The group stated protesters had been injured from “being pepper sprayed, dragged by the hair, choked, thrown down stairs, and punched in the face.”

The group’s nationwide spokesperson, Eva Borgwardt, instructed Axios that the purpose was to dam the door of the DNC constructing “in non-violent civil disobedience.”

Tensions have been rising over the Israel-Hamas battle, with each side demonstrating in Washington. It has been greater than a month for the reason that terrorist group Hamas launched a shock assault on Israel on Oct. 7.