Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has launched an investigation into the National Park Service (NPS) over its handling of a pro-Hamas demonstration in Washington, D.C., on July 24. Despite advance notice and a large permit issued to the left-wing anti-Israel group ANSWER Coalition, NPS deployed only 29 officers, leaving them vastly outnumbered by the crowd. In a letter to NPS, Cruz criticized the agency for failing to coordinate with other agencies, underestimating the protest's scale, and not requesting additional support.
Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) has launched an investigation into the National Park Service (NPS) over its handling of a pro-Hamas demonstration in Washington, D.C., on July 24. Despite advance notice and a large permit issued to the left-wing anti-Israel group ANSWER Coalition, NPS deployed only 29 officers, leaving them vastly outnumbered by the crowd.
Senator Ted Cruz Probes National Park Service Over Pro-Hamas Demonstration in Washington, D.C.
In a letter to NPS, Cruz criticized the agency for failing to coordinate with other agencies, underestimating the protest's scale, and not requesting additional support. He noted that Amtrak Police, which is responsible for security at Union Station, significantly increased their presence and successfully managed the area.
"This should have never been allowed to happen," Cruz wrote in his letter. "The National Park Service (NPS) had advance notice of the large anti-Israel protests, timed to coincide with [Israeli] Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address to Congress, and ample time to prepare."
Senator Ted Cruz Probes National Park Service Over Pro-Hamas Demonstration in Washington, D.C.
Cruz is seeking detailed answers about NPS's preparation, coordination efforts, and future plans to prevent future pro-Hamas demonstrations in the nation's capital. He is also seeking information on the intelligence NPS had regarding the protest, including details about the ANSWER Coalition's activities and the steps taken by NPS to prepare for the protest and potential rioting at Columbus Circle.
Cruz said NPS left its U.S. Park Police "hopelessly outnumbered." "The insufficient resources deployed by NPS, despite advance notice of the massive protest and the propensity of pro-Hamas demonstrations to turn violent, was negligent," Cruz wrote.
Senator Ted Cruz Probes National Park Service Over Pro-Hamas Demonstration in Washington, D.C.
On July 24, anti-Israel agitators descended on Washington, D.C., to protest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's address to Congress. Several monuments and historical sites were defaced and damaged. They were seen lighting American flags on fire, scrawling graffiti outside Union Station, and chanting "Allahu Akbar."
Activators at Union Station, which is located near the U.S. Capitol, burned an American flag and vandalized a statue with the words "Hamas is coming." They also removed American flags and replaced them with Palestinian flags instead.
Senator Ted Cruz Probes National Park Service Over Pro-Hamas Demonstration in Washington, D.C.
Netanyahu delivered an address to Congress last month amid his nation's war against Hamas, which has raged since Oct. 7. Amid his remarks, Netanyahu tore into cease-fire demonstrations that have played out across the U.S. since the war began.
Fox News Digital has reached out to NPS for comment.
Senator Ted Cruz Probes National Park Service Over Pro-Hamas Demonstration in Washington, D.C.
Fox News Digital's Emma Colton contributed to this report.
