Anti-Israel protests reportedly planned by members of President Joe Biden's administration appear to have stalled as several inches of snow fell in the Washington, D.C., area ahead of Tuesday.
It was first reported that the Peace Coalition, a coalition made up of members from 22 federal agencies within the Biden administration, would hold a “day of mourning” on Tuesday to protest the president's handling of the Israel-Hamas war. according to Go to Al-Monitor. To observe the Day of Remembrance, staff were encouraged to stay home from work in support of the ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. according to In an Instagram post called “Feds United for Peace.”
However, after 3 to 6 inches of snow fell in Washington, D.C., all federal government offices were shut down. closed It forced administrative workers to work remotely on Tuesday, the same day protest organizers encouraged staff to stay home.
“This day of remembrance was not just for federal employees in Washington, but for employees across the country,” the United Nations Coalition for Peace told The Daily Caller in a statement. “Despite the closure of federal offices in Washington due to weather, many employees eligible for telework still participated in the Day of Remembrance. There are no final numbers to share at this time.”
The group shared with the Daily Caller a list of 27 federal agencies that are intended to participate. Government agencies include the Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Internal Revenue Service, and Department of State.
A State Department spokesperson told the Daily Caller in a statement: “There will be no special consideration for leave to participate in protests. All normal leave policies apply.” “Employees must request leave for absence or they may be charged AWOL.”
In a social media post answering “Frequently Asked Questions,” the Peace Federation encouraged participants to use their “annual leave” and notify them of their absence on January 16. The account encouraged participants to take a snowy day off in Washington, DC. , sign a pledge expressing “solidarity” on the “Day of Remembrance.”
“If you do not wish to reveal that you have participated in a day of remembrance, you may need to explain that you need to take a personal day,” a social media post from the Fed in Solidarity for Peace said. “it is written like this.
Another social media post said the protest was a “day of mourning” rather than an “outing.”
Upon learning of the news that administration officials were planning to participate in the protests, House Speaker Mike Johnson tweeted He will urge federal agencies to punish such participants.
“Government employees who walk off the job in protest of U.S. support for our ally Israel are ignoring their responsibilities and abusing the trust of taxpayers,” Johnson wrote.
Government employees who walk off the job in protest of U.S. support for our ally Israel are ignoring their responsibilities and abusing the trust of taxpayers. They deserve to be fired.
Oversight Chairman Comer and I will work together to ensure that each federal agency takes action. https://t.co/jcWa4bI3Db
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) January 14, 2024
Biden and his administration have supported Israel since Hamas launched terrorist attacks against Israel on October 7th. Amid concerns over his administration's response, Biden announced $100 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza. White House national security spokesman John Kirby insisted the administration does not support a ceasefire, arguing that it would only benefit Hamas.
The president faces growing resistance to his pro-Israel stance from within his own party, campaign, and administration. A coalition of State Department employees petitioned the president in November, calling for a ceasefire. Democratic allies warned that Biden could lose some of the young vote if he maintains a tie. He himself was very close to Israel. (Related: Joe Biden faces another rebellion, this time within his own campaign staff)
The White House did not respond to The Daily Caller's request for comment.
Amid rising tensions, Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Tuesday warned staffers protesting the president's handling of the Israel-Hamas war.
“Ultimately they have to be on the ground and do their job, but the important thing is this: People have a voice and they feel the need to speak out,” Blinken told CNBC. ” he said. “It's an important part of our democracy. In my opinion, it's an important part of patriotism.”
“But people also need to get to work and do their jobs. Look, we're seeing this in a lot of administrations,” Blinken said. continuation. “If an individual disagrees with the policies that the administration is pushing and they can't keep their jobs, that's their decision. That's their choice. They have to make that decision.
Government employees plan to “quit work” in protest of US support for Israel.
Biden Secretary of State Antony Blinken responded: “The institutions I want are places where people feel safe to do so!” pic.twitter.com/jhTnkET390
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) January 16, 2024
Despite warnings, regime officials reportedly participated anyway, Al-Monitor report.
“Today is needed to process and reflect on this,” a DHS official told the outlet.
A civilian industrial engineer at Robins Air Force Base in central Georgia told Al-Monitor that he quit his job entirely to join the protests.
“[M]Your integrity and belief in human rights are worth more than my salary,” the person told Al-Monitor.
