As protests roil college campuses, young voters' support for Biden hangs in the balance

After days of protests roiling college campuses, President Joe Biden broke his silence with a short, terse speech condemning the chaos and calling for order, while also holding up protest as a fundamental American right.

Will Biden's comments be enough to sate young voters? Some political analysts think not.

"For Biden to get back on track with young voters, he needs to think and act differently and really take to heart what these young activists have been asking for," said Diane Wong, assistant professor of political science at Rutgers University.

In a five-minute speech at the White House on Thursday, the president tried to balance two fundamental principles — the right to protest and the rule of law.

"Violent protest is not protected. Peaceful protest is," he said. "Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduation — none of this is a peaceful protest."

In addition to calling on their universities to divest from companies doing business in Israel, students have called on the administration to withhold military support from Israel. They've also urged Biden to push harder for a peaceful solution in the war between Israel and Hamas.

"Mr. President," a reporter asked, "have the protests forced you to reconsider any of the policies with regard to the region?"

"No," Biden said, turning away from the lectern and leaving the room.

Biden's dismissive reaction to students' concerns about Gaza has already hampered his campaign, Wong said, pointing out that students at Rutgers University, located in New Jersey, campaigned to push Democratic Michiganers to vote "uncommitted" rather than cast a ballot for Biden in Michigan's primary.

For months, the Biden campaign has been pushing issues seemingly close to young voters' hearts — forgiving student debt, advocating for abortion access and even reclassifying marijuana as a less dangerous drug. Still, Democratic strategist Carly Cooperman said, the campaign's messaging is not cutting through to youth voters.

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