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EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: Senator Ted Cruz of Texas is investigating the National Park Service (NPS) regarding their handling of the pro-Hamas demonstration that took place on July 24 in Washington, D.C.
The NPS authorized a significant protest permit for the left-leaning ANSWER Coalition, yet deployed only 29 officers for crowd control, significantly less than needed given the size of the gathering. In sharp contrast, Amtrak Police enhanced their presence around Union Station and effectively managed security in that area according to Cruz’s correspondence with NPS on Friday.
Cruz further expressed concern over NPS’s inadequate preparation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies, emphasizing a lack of foresight regarding the magnitude of the event and failure to request additional resources. He seeks detailed information about how NPS geared up for this protest, measures taken to avert future demonstrations sympathetic to Hamas in Washington.
HUGE PROTEST AGAINST ISRAEL OCCURS IN WASHINGTON D.C., COINCIDING WITH NETANYAHU’S U.S. VISIT
“This situation should never have occurred,” Cruz stated in his letter shared first with Fox News Digital. “The National Park Service was aware ahead of time about this substantial anti-Israel gathering aligned with [Israeli] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s speech to Congress and had sufficient time for preparations.”
Cruz is also probing what intelligence data NPS held concerning this rally—asking about any warnings relating to ANSWER Coalition’s plans and what actions were taken by NPS ahead of potential unrest at Columbus Circle. He seeks clarity on officer deployments, any body-camera footage from U.S. Park Police present during disturbances, reports after events concluded from NPS or its coordination efforts with local law enforcement before the occurrence.
Cruz remarked that due to insufficient personnel provided by NPS, U.S Park Police found themselves “hopelessly outnumbered.”
“The lack of adequate resource deployment by NPS amid advance notice regarding a major protest displaying tendencies towards violence signifies negligence,” stated Cruz in his letter highlighting concerns over organizational readiness amidst expected unrest stemming from pro-Hamas activities within D.C., noting no efforts were made toward securing extra law enforcement presence despite such risks.
On July 24th, demonstrators rallied against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s congressional address which led some individuals to vandalize notable monuments; incidents included burning American flags while chanting “Allahu Akbar,” defacing public property outside Union Station.
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< p > Protesters replaced American flags near emblematic sites like Union Station—with Palestinian symbols instead—blazing an American flag prior.< / p >
< p > During last month’s address before Congress amidst ongoing combat between Israel & Hamas since October 7th , Netanyahu criticized cease-fire protests occurring across America post-conflict eruption.< / p >
< p > Fox News Digital has reached out seeking comment from representatives at an agency managing national parks.< / p >
< p >< i > Report contributed by Emma Colton at Fox News Digital.< / i >< / p >
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