WATCH: Speaker Mike Johnson Warns Democrats They Could Face Arrest During Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's Address

In a Tuesday letter to his House colleagues, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) warned that lawmakers who disrupt Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress could face consequences. The letter comes as thousands of protesters are expected to descend upon Capitol Hill to protest the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip against the terrorist organization Hamas.

In his letter to lawmakers, Johnson explained that there would be an increased police presence outside of the Capitol and inside the House Chamber to ensure Netanyahu's safety and the security of the assembled representatives. Speaker Johnson emphasized that there is a "zero-tolerance policy" for disturbances during the prime minister's speech and that any such action that would interfere with the address would result in action from the Sergeant at Arms.

"All Members should kindly inform their guests that any disruption of the proceedings of the House is a violation of the rules and may subject the offenders to prosecution," Johnson wrote. "If any disturbance does occur, the Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police will remove the offending visitor(s) from the gallery and subject them to arrest."

The leader of the People's Hosue explained to his colleagues that they are representatives of the United States during the address and they should act accordingly. However, he warned that if members disturbed the proceeding, they, too, would be confronted by the Sergeant at Arms. "As Members, it is incumbent upon us all to likewise model respect and proper decorum as representatives of the American people and our institution and as ambassadors of the United States on the world stage," the speaker explained. "It is our tradition to acknowledge every guest speaker's right to free expression even if we disagree with their viewpoint."

Johnson's warning comes after the top elected Republican condemned Vice President Kamala Harris, the presumptive Democratic nominee, for boycotting the joint session. "It is outrageous to me and inexcusable... that Kamala Harris is boycotting [Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech]," Johnson said during a press conference. "Kamala Harris will abandon her seat... She will not be there because she refuses to attend. She needs to be held accountable for that... The idea that they are making political calculations when our ally is in such dire straits, fighting for its very survival and fighting back against the horrific attack in October is unconscionable to us."

While several elected Democrats have said they would boycott Netanyahu's speech, thousands of activists are expected to flood the streets of Washington, D.C., to protest the Israeli prime minister's visit. Despite the expected mass unrest, Speaker Johnson's letter to his Democrat colleagues makes clear that the unrest will not make it into the House chamber.

House Speaker Mike Johnson speaking live now slams Kamala Harris' boycott of Netanyahu's speech:

“It is outrageous to me and inexcusable that Kamala Harris is boycotting [Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech]. Kamala Harris will abandon her seat. She will not be there because she… pic.twitter.com/Es7H6WW1zx

— Shelley G (@ShelleyGldschmt) July 23, 2024

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