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House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed strong opinions on a planned walkout by federal employees protesting President Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas conflict.
On social media, Johnson, a Republican from Louisiana, criticized the employees’ decision to walk out, stating, “Any government worker who walks off the job to protest US support for our ally Israel is ignoring their responsibility and abusing the trust of taxpayers. They deserve to be fired.” He further committed to collaborating with James Comer, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee, to initiate disciplinary actions against those participating in the walkout.
The walkout, organized by a group called Feds United for Peace, is scheduled to coincide with the 100th day of the military campaign in Gaza. It aims to express dissent against the US support for Israel in its ongoing conflict with Hamas. According to AL-Monitor, employees from at least 22 federal agencies, including high-profile departments like Defense, State, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs, are expected to participate in the protest.
The backdrop of this protest is the intense conflict between Israel and Hamas. Hamas initiated a surprise attack on October 7, leading to significant casualties and kidnappings. Israel responded with a military campaign that has resulted in thousands of Palestinian and Israeli casualties. This military action has sparked debate and criticism within and outside the US government, putting President Biden under pressure for his support of Israel. Biden, addressing hecklers at a campaign event, mentioned he is “quietly” urging Israel to reduce its military presence in Gaza.
The planned protest has further intensified with demonstrations outside the White House, where protesters expressed their dissent aggressively, leading to the evacuation of non-essential staff by the Secret Service as a precautionary measure.
