Overview
- Bowser, who delivered the keynote at Howard University’s 158th commencement Saturday, was booed by graduates and guests as some chanted “Free D.C.”
- Student organizers circulated flyers before the ceremony that rejected Bowser as speaker and urged peers to walk out, heckle, or turn their backs during her remarks.
- The handouts faulted her for youth curfew zones and for not resisting a federal National Guard deployment to Washington, and they alleged ties to AIPAC and trips to Israel.
- Howard awarded Bowser an honorary doctorate for public service, and she told graduates she is not seeking a fourth term but is not retiring.
- Coverage from Townhall highlighted a Washington Post poll putting her approval below 50 percent and reported FBI probes since 2023, while other outlets focused on the protest tactics and crowd reaction.