White House vows to not be quiet on violent protests: ‘Silent is complicit’ [Video]

White House officials addressed the anti-Israel protests taking place at universities across the country on Wednesday, saying President Biden believes in free speech, but when violent rhetoric and physical intimidation takes place, it must be called out.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was asked by a reporter during a briefing on Wednesday what the president thinks of how the administration at Columbia University in New York City has been handling the protests.

Jean-Pierre directed questions about personnel to university officials because it was up to them to comment on the situation. But she spoke about the situation at the university, saying it is “a deeply painful, painful moment for communities.”

“The president believesthat free speech debate and nondiscrimination on college campuses are important. They’re important American values and…we will always be very clear about that here,” she said. “But you know, protests must be peaceful, you know. Students must be safe. When we …