College campus chaos benefits Republicans, according to their belief.

On November 7, 2023, a series of pivotal events unfolded that could shape the outcome of the upcoming election.

In 2008, Hamas carried out daring attacks on Israel, sparking a devastating conflict that surpassed the scale of the 1967 and 1973 wars.

The election this fall is centered on the topic of abortion, but the Middle East has the potential to overshadow it. The rift within the Democratic Party is now being showcased in various locations across the country. Photos of protests, camps, and destroyed buildings are now a regular feature of the daily news. This all happened almost 54 years after the Kent State University massacre in Ohio.

Democrats are torn between upholding the First Amendment rights of students and supporting human rights in Gaza, while also addressing the rampant antisemitism that permeates many of these demonstrations. This issue isn't lost on voters.

The GOP doesn't need to exploit the Democratic schism, as the daily collegiate contretemps already speaks for itself.

Neither party has a significant legislative agenda for the rest of the year. The foreign aid package has been completed. TikTok has been banned. Despite months of work on a bipartisan border security package, it fell apart in minutes over the winter. There is no vacuum in which things exist. The university melees presented the GOP with an opportunity. And the GOP seems better prepared to handle the issue than Democrats.

"Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., the top Democrat on the House Education Committee, stated that "students are students, and you're going to have demonstrations. And that's just part of being a college student." He added that "there's a difference between protesting against the war and being antisemitic. And many of the protests have slipped into antisemitism.""

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., spearheaded efforts to scrutinize higher education, appointing committee chairs to probe potential misconduct, student safety lapses, and the possibility of cutting off funding for universities.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, promised to examine how to link the largest source of funds to the handling of campuses in crisis situations.

The University of Pennsylvania's Liz Magill resigned in December after testifying about collegiate antisemitism, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., boasted about the success of the House Republicans' efforts to target higher education for months.

In January, Stefanik obtained another trophy, the resignation of Harvard's Claudine Gay, who, like Magill, stumbled at the same hearing. Notably, Stefanik graduated from Harvard in 2006.

"Two down," Stefanik said at the time.

After the December hearing, MIT President Sally Kornbluth continues in her role. However, now, Stefanik and other Republicans are targeting Columbia University President Minouche Shafik following a protest at Hamilton Hall.

""Stefanik stated that President Shafik should be removed immediately because he has allowed campus to be taken over by mob rule," said Stefanik."

The university unrest issue was handed to Republicans on a silver mortar board, and other university presidents can expect a public thrashing at a hearing before the House Education Committee on May 23.

The House Oversight Committee has the authority to oversee Washington, D.C. As a result, Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., has invited Mayor Murial Bowser and D.C. Police Chief Pamela Smith to a meeting next week. Comer is "deeply concerned" that the D.C. police rejected a request from George Washington University to assist in removing "antisemitic and unlawful protesters" from the campus.

Miguel Cardona, the Education Secretary, wrote a letter to university presidents condemning the harassment of Jewish students. He specifically mentioned that these students were subjected to verbal abuse and found swastikas on their doors. Additionally, he stated that some were told to "go back to Poland."

"These and other such incidents are abhorrent," wrote Cardona.

Earlier this week, Cardona was questioned by Senate lawmakers about the federal government's response to potential civil rights violations on campuses.

Is this administration currently adhering to Title VI, according to your opinion, Senator Katie Britt, R-Ala.?

The Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or religion under Title VI.

"We have the resources we have," Cardona stated. "Since 2009, the number of cases has tripled. We now have 58 fewer people to investigate."

The Department of Education is requesting an additional $22 million this budget cycle to increase the number of investigators and launch more campus investigations. However, this request may become a contentious issue, particularly given the Republicans' plan to reduce funding for the Department of Education.

The Judiciary Committee's top Democrat, Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., stated that the FY '24 budget received flat funding after Republicans attempted to reduce it by 25%.

Lawmakers believe that universities have failed to protect students, so the GOP is considering reducing their funding.

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., the top Republican on the panel that handles education dollars, warned that if you're going to break the law and violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, you're going to have your federal funds removed.

"Consider the financial resources that universities receive through research funding, federal student aid, and construction with federal funds."

Cardona agrees with some senators about the cash flow.

If a school does not comply with Title VI, we will remove federal funds, Cardona stated.

Some lawmakers argue that it's difficult to determine when a school goes too far.

"Scott stated that there is tension between the First Amendment and the criminal code, Title VI, in ensuring a hate-free environment for students, and it will be challenging to make a decision."

But the politics may be a little clearer.

Protests at Columbia University have been a topic of discussion among freshmen members of Congress, particularly New York Republicans Mike Lawler and Anthony D'Esposito.

The maelstrom of demonstrations at colleges and universities is now officially on the ballot this fall, and Republicans have shown that they believe the milieu works in their favor.