Tensions Rise on Capitol Hill Ahead of Netanyahu’s Address as Speaker Johnson Warns of Arrests for Disruptions

With Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu set to address a joint session of Congress on Wednesday, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has issued a stark warning to lawmakers and guests alike — anyone attempting to disrupt the proceedings will face immediate removal and possible arrest.

In a letter sent to members of Congress late Tuesday, Johnson announced that additional Capitol Police officers and sergeants-at-arms would be stationed throughout the complex to ensure order during the high-profile event. The Louisiana Republican emphasized a “zero-tolerance policy” for disturbances, signaling that even elected officials will not be exempt from disciplinary action.

“If any disturbance does occur, the Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police will remove the offending visitor or visitors from the gallery and subject them to arrest,” Johnson wrote. “If any lawmakers engage in such behavior, they will be asked to cease immediately by the Sergeant at Arms.”

The strict warning comes amid growing tensions in Washington, as thousands of protesters plan to demonstrate outside the Capitol during Netanyahu’s visit. Organizers of a planned 5,000-person march have called for the Israeli leader’s arrest, citing alleged human rights violations during the ongoing conflict in Gaza, according to The Daily Wire.

Security on High Alert

Capitol Police have already increased patrols and set up barricades following a chaotic protest earlier in the week. On Tuesday, hundreds of anti-Israel demonstrators flooded the Cannon House Office Building, forcing congressional staff and interns to lock themselves in offices as police attempted to disperse the crowd. Several arrests were made, and Johnson vowed that Wednesday’s session would not see a repeat of that incident.

“There will be an enhanced police presence throughout the Capitol complex,” Johnson stated, assuring lawmakers that safety measures were being taken “to preserve the dignity of Congress and protect the integrity of the proceedings.”

Netanyahu’s speech, scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern, marks his first address to Congress since 2015, when his appearance sharply divided lawmakers and prompted nearly 60 Democrats to boycott the event. Early estimates suggest that an even greater number of Democratic legislators will skip this year’s session, citing opposition to Israel’s handling of the Gaza war.

Vice President Harris to Skip the Address

Vice President Kamala Harris, who would normally preside over such a joint session as President of the Senate, will not be in attendance. Instead, she is scheduled to appear at an event hosted by Zeta Phi Beta, a historically Black sorority, according to The Times of Israel.

In her absence, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, will preside over the joint meeting.

Speaker Johnson criticized Harris for opting out of the event, calling her decision “inexcusable” and accusing her of “abandoning her seat of responsibility.” The Vice President’s absence has further fueled partisan debate over the Biden administration’s stance toward Israel as the conflict continues to dominate headlines.

Maher Criticizes Harris’ Leadership and 2024 Chances

Meanwhile, Vice President Harris continues to face scrutiny over her leadership and electability as the presumptive Democratic nominee following President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the 2024 race.

During a recent episode of HBO’s Real Time, host Bill Maher took aim at Harris’s political appeal, suggesting she lacks the charisma and public trust necessary to defeat former President Donald Trump in November.

“Yes, replacing a president this late in the race may seem like a big deal,” Maher said. “For about three days — and then everyone will move on.”

Maher reminded viewers that Harris failed to win a single delegate in the 2020 Democratic primaries, saying, “You can count the number of delegates she won on one hand, as long as that hand has no fingers.”

The comedian criticized Harris’s tenure as vice president, describing her as “quieter than an electric car” and questioning her effectiveness as Biden’s appointed “border czar.”

Although Maher acknowledged Harris’s intelligence and achievements, he said her lack of popularity remains her biggest obstacle: “I don’t vote for who will be the first — I vote for who will win, and for whatever reason, Harris has never been popular.”

Democrats Express Unease

Harris’s campaign faces growing concern within her party as polls continue to show her trailing Trump nationally and in key battleground states. On Fox News, political analyst Ari Fleischer suggested Democrats may already be experiencing “buyer’s remorse.”

“After the media love affair fades, if she doesn’t surpass Trump in the polls, what’s left?” Fleischer asked. “That’s when Democrats will realize they may have made a mistake.”

With protests brewing outside, divisions deepening within Congress, and the 2024 election looming large, Netanyahu’s address is shaping up to be one of the most politically charged moments of the year — not just for U.S.-Israel relations, but for an America caught between global conflict and domestic uncertainty.