President Biden delivered unscheduled remarks on Thursday morning from the White House in his first public condemnation of the escalating protests sweeping college campuses across the country.
Biden inserted himself at a pivotal moment in the anti-war, pro-Palestinian movement that's now seen several nights of violent clashes between students and heavily armed law enforcement called in by university administrators to dismantle Gaza solidarity tent encampments.
On Wednesday, for the second night in a row, riot police in tactical gear stormed the encampment on UCLA's campus, where local reports estimated 300-500 people were gathered. More than 2,000 supporters were standing outside of the encampment when California Highway Patrol moved in to start arresting protestors who refused to disperse.
Photos captured the standoff between police with shields and batons across from students wearing hard hats and Keffiyehs.
Reporters pressed the White House to hear from Biden all week as this scene played out not only in California but in Texas, Georgia, and New York.
The White House has carefully choreographed its response to balance calling for the rule of law with supporting First Amendment rights.
Balancing free speech with rule of law
"We've all seen the images, and they put to the test two fundamental American principles," Biden said on Thursday. "The first is the right to free speech and for people to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard. The second is the rule of law. Both must be upheld."
The US is not an "authoritarian nation," and peaceful protest is the best tradition for Americans to respond to consequential issues.
"But neither are we a lawless country. We're a civil society, and order must prevail," Biden said. "Throughout our history, we've often faced moments like this because we are a big, diverse, free-thinking, and freedom-loving nation."
Biden said this is a moment for clarity - not politics.
"So let me be clear: Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is," Biden said.
He added vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, instilling fear in people, and shutting down campuses are against the law and not peaceful protest.
"Dissent is essential to democracy, but dissent must never lead to disorder or to denying the right of others so students can finish the semester and their college education," Biden said.
People have the right to protest but not the right to cause chaos, Biden said, adding that people have the right to get an education and walk across campus safely without fear of being attacked.
"Let's be clear about this as well: there should be no place on any campus, no place in America for antisemitism, or threats of violence against Jewish students," Biden said.
Biden said there is no place for hate speech or violence of any kind, whether it's antisemitism, Islamophobia, or discrimination against Arab Americans or Palestinian Americans.
"It's simply wrong," Biden said. "There's no place for racism in America. It's all wrong. It's un-American."
Respecting the right to protest and expression "does not mean anything goes," Biden said.
"It needs to be done without violence, without destruction, without hate, and within the law," Biden said. "And I will make no mistake: as President, I will always defend free speech. And I will always be just as strong as standing up for the rule of law."
Biden took two questions following his remarks. He was asked if the protests forced him to reconsider Middle East foreign policy and if the National Guard should intervene on campuses.
He responded "no" to both.