Pro-Palestinian protesters in Washington, D.C., vandalized the Freedom Bell and other monuments during demonstrations against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress.
They painted messages like “Abolish the USA” on the Freedom Bell and “Hamas is coming” on a Christopher Columbus fountain, while also taking down and burning American flags.
In response, Republican lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, replaced the American flags and criticized the actions of the protesters, labeling them as acts of vandalism.
“Outside Union Station in DC now. Lots of vandalism of the statues and Freedom Bell, including big praise for Hamas,” political commentator Katie Pavlich said.
These are not protesters. These are terrorists,” Dr. Eli David said.
“They took down our flag, and we put it back up. God bless America,” he added.
“Earlier today, pro-Hamas protesters took down the American flags at Union Station, burned them and raised Palestinian flags. Tonight, we righted their wrong. American flags are once again flying over Union Station. We will not let the terrorist mob win,” Johnson wrote on X.
“Good point from @DanaPerino that while you have the right to burn a flag you own, you do not have the right to burn a flag that is federal property,” one X user wrote.
The incident prompted calls for accountability, with Senator Tom Cotton proposing a bill to deport foreigners involved in such actions.
Commentary highlighted the legal distinction between the right to burn personal flags versus those on federal property, reinforcing the idea that vandalism against state symbols should be prosecuted.
“This morning my colleagues and I introduced a bill to deport any foreigner involved in violence and vandalism on federal property,” Sen. Tom Cotton wrote.
“The actions of the pro-Hamas lunatics at Union Station in DC are shameful, and anyone on a visa who took part should have it revoked immediately,” he added.
