Jean-Pierre offers words of admiration for flag-defending UNC frat boys

The Biden administration has taken a great deal of criticism for its apparent reluctance to condemn the anti-Semitic, anti-Israel protests that have gripped college campuses across the country, but last week, one of its most visible representatives issued a statement that surprised many.

In response to a story about a group of fraternity brothers at the University of North Carolina who defended the American flag against removal by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre applauded the efforts in appropriately public fashion, as Fox News reports.

Confrontation at Chapel Hill

It was earlier in the week that pro-Palestinian protestors were making their voices heard at the university when they were met with a committed group of patriotic counterdemonstrators.

Those expressing outrage over conditions in Gaza amid the conflict between Israel and Hamas took it upon themselves to replace the Stars and Stripes flying at the quad with the Palestinian flag, and it was not long before their actions were put firmly in check.

Students from the school's chapter of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity stood protective guard over the American flag until authorities moved protestors out of the area and Old Glory was raised to its rightful position of honor.

The fraternity brothers held their positions despite being pelted with water bottles, rocks, and profanity, sent their way by the anti-Israel horde.

Jean-Pierre weighs in

The determination of the students garnered widespread praise as video of the incident soon made the rounds on social media.

Admirers of the men's bravery went so far as to launch a GoFundMe page for the purpose of raising money for a party to be thrown in their honor.

During Friday's White House press briefing, Jean-Pierre was asked by Fox News' Peter Doocy for comment on the episode, asking if the president was inclined to donate to the party fund.

Known for her mealy-mouthed statements about anti-Semitism on college campuses and the escalating protests, Jean-Pierre caught some off guard by seeming to support what the fraternity brothers did on the day in question.

Noting that every American has a right to protest in a peaceful manner, she added her belief that it is “not right to forcefully take down the American flag to replace it with another flag, it is not right, and so I just wanted to make that clear” and said, “protecting the American flag is admirable. I'll leave it there.”

Fundraiser shatters expectations

The individual behind the creation of the GoFundMe meant to benefit the fraternity brothers stated on the page, “Commie losers across the country have invaded college campuses to make dumb demands of weak University Administrators,” as Newsweek noted.

“These boys...no, men, of UNC Chapel Pi Kappa Phi, gave the best to America and now they deserve the best. Help us raise funds to throw this frat the party they deserve, a party worth [sic] of the boat-shoed Broletariat who did their country proud,” the page went on.

Amazingly, a large number of Americans agreed with those sentiments, with well over $500,000 in donations subsequently made – a number that far outstripped a fundraising effort launched on behalf of a pro-Palestinian funding campaign at the school – and a sum the young men say will be used not just for a party, but also for charitable giving purposes.