As pro-Palestinian protests on college campuses escalate, the White House is scaling back its traditional spring commencement activities, with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris taking a limited role. Biden is set to speak at Morehouse College and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in May, while Harris will deliver a graduation speech at the Air Force Academy. First Lady Jill Biden, who teaches at a community college, is also expected to give a commencement address, though the specific school hasn’t been disclosed.
White House officials clarified that the number of speeches given by Biden and Harris remains consistent with previous years. By comparison, during his re-election campaign in 2012, then-President Barack Obama gave speeches at the Air Force Academy, Barnard College, and Joplin High School, while then-Vice President Biden addressed graduates at West Point and at high schools in Virginia and Florida.
Amid ongoing campus unrest, the White House hasn’t disclosed how Biden plans to address the protests in his commencement speeches. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that these speeches offer an opportunity for Biden to deliver uplifting messages to graduates and their families while addressing broader societal concerns. Jean-Pierre highlighted that Biden intends to meet the moment by addressing current issues and acknowledging the pain felt by various communities.
Despite the focus on campus protests in the media, Biden campaign officials argue that young voters are more concerned with other issues like inflation and health care, according to a recent Harvard University poll. However, John Della Volpe, the Harvard Kennedy School Institute of Politics’ polling director, emphasized the importance of addressing topics like Gaza at commencement ceremonies, where students, faculty, and parents are gathered.
Recognizing the divide over Gaza, Della Volpe noted that if candidates don’t address key issues that matter to young voters, it could lead to disengagement. This highlights the need for acknowledgment and a message that aligns with their values, with a call for serious progress toward peace, recognition of humanitarian efforts, and respect for human dignity.
