Comer cancels DC antisemitism hearing after Bowser, police 'finally' dismantle GWU encampment

House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., canceled a scheduled proceeding with Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser connected Wednesday, arguing that threatening to haul her earlier Congress to attest connected increasing antisemitic protests astatine George Washington University prompted constabulary to "finally" dismantle the "unlawful" anti-Israel encampment connected field and surrounding nationalist spaces. 

"Following the Metropolitan Police Department yet clearing retired the unlawful encampment connected GW’s campus, I americium precise pleased to denote that the proceeding with Mayor Bowser has been canceled," Comer said successful a statement. "I had a bully speech with Mayor Bowser. I thanked her for yet clearing the trespassers disconnected the GW Campus." 

"It was unfortunate the concern astatine GW forced the Oversight Committee to act; however, it was evident that the DC constabulary unit was not going to bash their job," Comer added. "Therefore, aft gathering with GW enactment and touring the encampment, we decided to clasp a nationalist proceeding to get answers arsenic to wherefore the Mayor would not uphold the law. I americium pleased that the imaginable Oversight proceeding led to swift enactment by Mayor Bowser and MPD Chief Smith. We volition proceed to clasp D.C. officials accountable to guarantee our nation’s superior is harmless for all."

Bowser and Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith held a property league earlier Wednesday announcing that 33 radical had been arrested astatine GWU since Tuesday night, erstwhile MPD changed their posture astatine the encampment that had been ongoing since April 25. Charges see unlawful entry, oregon trespassing, and battle on a constabulary officer, Smith said. 

GWU ANARCHISTS CALL FOR BEHEADINGS OF SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS AMID ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENT

Rep. James Comer and different Republican House members connected the country of 21st and H Street astir Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith's refusal to unopen down the anti-Israel encampment astatine George Washington University connected May 1, 2024. (Jordan Tovin for The Washington Post via Getty Images)

"I had the accidental to talk with Chairman Comer this morning, and helium expressed his involvement successful making definite the metropolis and the main could absorption connected this ongoing operation. I expect that that proceeding volition beryllium pulled down," Bowser told reporters. "MPD's effect to First Amendment objection is apolitical. It is without respect to 1 broadside oregon the other. And it's focused connected nationalist safety." 

Barricades are placed adjacent entrances to a present cleared anti-Israel encampment astatine George Washington University connected May 8, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Over the past 2 weeks, Bowser said MPD has maintained a beingness astatine GW passim the protests successful enactment of radical exercising their First Amendment rights, but Smith elaborate however the concern began to escalate starting past Thursday erstwhile a field constabulary officer "was pushed by protesters and an point was grabbed retired of the constabulary officer's manus during the show of her duties." 

ANTI-ISRAEL ENCAMPMENTS SHARE COMMON TRAITS WITH MARXIST REVOLUTIONARIES, BLM AND THE KKK

"On Monday, MPD learned of much indicators that the protestation was becoming much volatile. This included a elemental battle reported to GW Police, information probing of a GW building, indicators that counter-demonstrators were covertly successful the encampment and accusation that protesters from different schools were traveling to GW," Smith said. "In addition, items that could perchance beryllium utilized for violative and antiaircraft weapons were being gathered. All of this led to my treatment and decision that we needed to alteration our posture. I briefed Mayor Bowser connected Monday and we began preparing for past night." 

People from an anti-Israel encampment beryllium connected the sidewalk aft constabulary cleared George Washington University's University Yard connected May 8, 2024. (Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

The main said constabulary issued six dispersal warnings and allowed "ample time" for protesters to disperse. While "many complied and near the encampment area," Smith said those who did not were arrested. 

Fox News' Tyler Olson contributed to this report.