House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) announced Tuesday that he would implement a “zero tolerance policy” toward the unrest that followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S. Capitol, warning lawmakers that they could be arrested if they violated the order.
“Due to the high profile nature of the Prime Minister’s speech, there will be increased police presence around Parliament House and on the House floor,” the Speaker said in a letter to colleagues.
“In the interest of all involved, we will be implementing a zero tolerance policy towards disturbances within the building.”
Ahead of Netanyahu’s appearance in Parliament on Wednesday, Johnson, 52, instructed lawmakers to remind guests that “any disruption of parliamentary proceedings is a violation of the rules and violators may be prosecuted.”
“If unrest occurs, Capitol Security and Capitol Police will remove any breaches from the gallery and make arrests,” he wrote.
The Speaker also suggested that House members could face similar penalties if they ignore House rules.
“If any Members of Congress are causing disturbances, Capitol Police will request that such conduct cease immediately and we have confidence that this request will be granted,” Johnson said.
The letter came days after the Speaker of the House vowed to arrest anyone who causes trouble in the House while the 74-year-old prime minister is speaking.
“There will be additional security at the Capitol … if anyone riots, we will make arrests,” Johnson said at a Republican Jewish Coalition event on the sidelines of the Republican National Convention last week.
Parliamentary police said on Tuesday they had arrested around 200 anti-Israel protesters for an illegal demonstration inside the Cannon House office building on the eve of Netanyahu’s speech.
Netanyahu’s upcoming speech to Congress has drawn protests and condemnation from several Democratic lawmakers who oppose Israel’s war against Hamas, including Sens. Bernie Sanders (Ind., Vermont), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), who have announced they will boycott the speech.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump later in the week.
