Pelosi Shuts Down Gaza War Protestor During Interview, Backs 2-State Solution, Quotes JFK: 'War Has No Role In A Civilized Society'

Protests over the U.S. response to the war in Gaza have become a crucial issue for the 2024 election, with an interview of Nancy Pelosi being interrupted near the Democratic National Convention.

What Happened: Former Speaker of the House Pelosi is on a tour to promote her new book "The Art of Power" and also set to appear at the DNC Wednesday night.

During a live taping of "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert" near the DNC, the late night talk show host and Pelosi dealt with a Gaza War protestor.

Stephen Colbert handled the incident calmly before going to commercial and encouraged the protestor to listen to the upcoming questions on foreign relations, as reported by Variety.

"The subject is on Israel and Palestine and if you have a seat, we have to go to the commercial break. When we come back, I'll ask the next question I had on the subject," Colbert said.

Colbert returned from commercial break to ask Pelosi about the U.S. using its power overseas.

"Let me just say this was a role that President Biden played very well for [the] years he was chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. He was a senator for a long time, Vice President and President. So his experience globally has been huge," Pelosi said.

Pelosi said the U.S. has a commitment to Israel as it is in our "security interest to do so." The former speaker of the House recalled attending John F. Kennedy's inauguration, where he famously said, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

"The very next sentence that he says in the speech is, ‘to the countries of the world, ask not what America can do for you, but what we can do working together for the freedom of mankind,'" Pelosi added.

The official quote is, “my fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man,” according to the JFK Library.

Pelosi said the U.S. wants hostages freed and doesn't want children killed in Gaza.

"We just got word earlier today that Israel had agreed to the cease-fire agreement. We're hoping that Hamas will too. But it takes me to the point of saying to you, war has no role in a civilized society. We have to learn more about trust and peace."

Pelosi's comments were met with several shouts from the crowd, with more protests over U.S. involvement in the region.

"Israel has a right to defend itself. But the other part of it is that's been so major for all of us for many years is that there must be a two-state solution."

Pelosi said without a two-state solution, there will not be peace or resolution for the region.  

The protest inside the studio located several miles from the DNC's United Center headquarters comes as pro-Palestinian protestors clashed with police in Chicago on Tuesday as protests have been planned for the four-day DNC event.

Did You Know?

• Congress Is Making Huge Investments. Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool

Pelosi Comments on Biden: During her interview with Colbert, Pelosi was also asked to comment on reports that she was involved with getting Joe Biden to step down from the 2024 presidential race.

"A man who has been such a consequential president of the United States," Pelosi said of Biden. "One of the most consequential presidents of the modern era."

Pelosi brushed off the notion that she was an "architect" of getting Biden to step down when asked by Colbert.

"I think the president made his own decision, and they should respect him for that."

Pelosi said she did not speak to Biden on the phone ahead of his decision, but with a laugh, she wouldn't say she hadn't talked to him.

The former House speaker praised Biden's leadership, saying that he always made the future better.

"He always had a brilliant vision."

The conversation about Biden stepping down may have been cut short, as it was interrupted by a commercial break triggered by the protest, before shifting to the new topic of foreign relations.

Check This Out:

• Lawmakers Made Huge Investments This Year. Get Tips On What They Bought And Sold Ahead Of The 2024 Election With Our Easy-to-Use Tool

Photo: Shutterstock