White House Limits Presence at Graduations Amid Pro-Palestinian Protest; Della Volpe Advises Careful Handling for Biden Speeches

Amid growing protests on college campuses against Israel’s military actions in Gaza by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will have a minimal presence at traditional graduation ceremonies this spring. While Biden is scheduled to speak at Morehouse College and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in May, only Harris has been confirmed for an address at the Air Force Academy’s ceremony. First Lady Jill Biden may also deliver a commencement speech but no school has yet been named. In 2012, former President Barack Obama spoke at three different ceremonies during his re-election campaign year. The White House claims that this is similar to previous years and declined to preview how Biden might address the campus unrest when questioned by reporters earlier in the week. John Della Volpe of Harvard University’s Kennedy School Institute for Politics suggested that while Gaza may not be a top priority issue among young voters, it could potentially harm support from those who care deeply about the conflict if addressed insensitively at such ceremonies as they might impact relationships with university communities, administrators and parents. However, Della Volpe believes Biden has an opportunity to bridge divides on this contentious subject since most polling suggests young people prioritize inflation, health care reforms, gun violence prevention, protecting democracy, climate change action, women’s reproductive rights over the situation in Gaza at present times. The Biden campaign claims that it started organizing for younger voters earlier than past campaigns and is placing significant emphasis on online efforts targeted at major social media applications, particularly young college-aged users, and attending gatherings like music festivals or sporting events to reach those who are not enrolled in educational programs also remain essential to them. Meanwhile Ro Khanna visiting campuses from his native Wisconsin said that Gaza is a debated topic among students but inflation and healthcare reforms were the top concerns for most of them, while Biden should address this issue directly with young voters instead of dismissing it outright because engagement would indicate to them they are valued in political discussions.