Fetterman, Scott, Banks join calls for Columbia president to step down

Columbia University President Minouche Shafik is facing mounting calls for her resignation amid heightened unrest on her campus over the war in Gaza.

More than 100 pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested after refusing to leave an encampment resurrected on campus last week while Shafik gave her testimony before the House education panel. Following Shafik’s more than three-hour questioning, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) released a statement on Sunday saying “Columbia University … needs new leadership. President Shafik must immediately resign.

Several Republican and Democratic lawmakers joined Stefanik on Monday, including all of the New York House Republicans.

Reps. Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Mark Alford (R-Mo.) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-N.Y.) are also demanding her resignation. When Shafik announced on Monday that all Columbia classes would be remote, Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) responded on X that Shafik’s move to virtual learning was proof that she is “unable to stop the antisemitic activity on her campus & keep her students safe.”

In the Senate, Sens. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and John Fetterman (D-Pa.)have calledon Shafik to step down. Fetterman likened the situation on campus for Jewish students to the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville.

“Add some tiki torches and it’s Charlottesville for these Jewish students,” Fetterman wrote on X.“To@Columbia President Minouche Shafik: do your job or resign so Columbia can find someone who will.”

Following the protests, New York law enforcement was called to campus and several students were suspended.

“These tensions have been exploited and amplified by individuals who are not affiliated with Columbia who have come to campus to pursue their own agendas,” Shafik said in a statement early Monday. “We need a reset.”