Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) sent a letter to House members warning there would be arrests if people disrupted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to lawmakers Wednesday.
Johnson said in his letter, shared Tuesday, that there will be additional security measures and the note served as a “friendly reminder of the longstanding rules and decorum of the House.”
“Due to the attention garnered by the prime minister’s address, there will be an increased police presence around the Capitol complex and in the House Chamber,” Johnson wrote. “In the interests of all involved, we will enforce a zero-tolerance policy for disturbances in the building.”
Capitol Police confirmed days ago it would be adding officers from outside agencies to help staff the high-security event.
A group of pro-Palestinian protesters occupying the rotunda of the Cannon House Office Building were arrested Tuesday. A coalition of advocacy groups, expected to be tens of thousands of people, plans to march on the Capitol during Netanyahu’s speech.
Johnson asked members of Congress to “kindly inform their guests” that disruptions are a violation of the rules and could subject “the offenders to prosecution.”
“If any disturbance does occur, the Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police will remove the offending visitor(s) from the gallery and subject them to arrest,” Johnson said.
Johnson also had a warning for members directly, pressing them to “model respect and proper decorum.”
Top Democrats in both chambers are frustrated with Israel’s ongoing war against the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. Netanyahu has vowed to not back down until Hamas is destroyed and the remaining hostages, of which there are expected to be more than 100, are returned.
His invitation to address a joint session of Congress, extended by Johnson and the bipartisan leaders of both chambers, has prompted several Democratic lawmakers to say they will boycott the speech. Vice President Harris, who was thrust into the party’s presidential nomination process after President Biden bowed out of the race, will skip the address.
“It is our tradition to acknowledge every guest speaker’s right to free expression even if we disagree with their viewpoint,” Johnson wrote. “If any Member creates a disturbance, the Sergeant at Arms will request that such action be ceased immediately, and we trust that request will be heeded.”
Johnson thanked the members ahead of time for their attention and attendance at “this historic joint session,” which is scheduled for 2 p.m. EDT.
The Israeli prime minister will also meet separately with Biden, Harris and former President Trump, the GOP nominee for the White House, later this week.