Democratic leaders are under fire for not quickly denouncing the attack on the Democratic National Committee headquarters by pro-Palestinian demonstrators.
“Sometimes saying nothing says everything,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Jack Pandol said. “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 said.
Democratic leaders later put out a statement thanking the police.
The Democratic leaders further acknowledged that “some protesters escalated their activity in a manner that exceeded a peaceful demonstration.” That line, for critics on the political right, was reminiscent of 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, national security advisor for Sen. Ted Cruz, added: “Mostly peaceful attempt to violently storm Congress.”
Others pointed to the discrepancy between the understated Democratic reaction to the leftist rioters versus the party’s full-throated condemnation of pro-Trump rioters at the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol.
“I expect the GOP to lead the call for a House Subcommittee on the 11/15 Insurrection,” said Florida criminal defense lawyer Eric Matheny, co-host of the “Bob & Eric Save America” podcast on X.
President Biden also applauded the police but refrained from criticizing the mob when he called a DNC meeting on Thursday.
The White House in a statement said that Mr. Biden and first lady Jill Biden “expressed appreciation to lawn 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,” it said.
Early on 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,” said 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 were evacuated Wednesday night from the DNC headquarters near the Capitol as roughly 200 demonstrators started fighting with law enforcement and storming the building. The mob, whose members donned shirts with the message “Cease Fire Now,” was illegally protesting outside the DNC building, located just south of the Capitol complex.
The clash resulted in six Capitol Police officers being treated for injuries such as being pepper sprayed and punched, and one man was arrested, Capitol Police said.
Videos of the event showed the group shouting obscenities at the cops who formed a protective ring around the building.
The DNC was hosting a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee candidate event, and multiple Democratic leaders were in the building at the time including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chair Rep. Suzan DelBene.
In a joint statement released Thursday, the Democratic leaders thanked Capitol Police for ensuring the lawmakers were safe.
“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 statement said. “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, said he was evacuated from the party headquarters.
“Was just evacuated from the #DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protestors 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 said.
Mr. Sherman also said, “Apparently, these pro-#Hamas demonstrators want #Republicans to prevail in the next Congressional election.”
IfNotNow, the group that led the protest along with other left-leaning pro-Palestinian groups, said in a statement that 90 protesters were injured by police.
“Capitol Police were the ones who used pepper spray, not us. Capitol Police were violent, not us,” said one of the groups’ several 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 said the police assaulted the protesters with injuries ranging from “being pepper sprayed, dragged by the hair, choked, thrown down stairs, and punched in the face.”
The group’s national spokesperson, Eva Borgwardt, told Axios that their goal was to block the door of the DNC building “in non-violent civil disobedience.”
Tensions have been rising over the Israel-Hamas conflict, with both sides holding protests in Washington. It’s been over a month since the terrorist group Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel.
• Valerie Richardson can be reached at vrichardson@washingtontimes.com.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.