Students gathered outside of the Genome Science Building Monday night to protest the speech of former President Donald Trump deputy assistant Sebastian Gorka.

Gorka was in town to talk about the United States’ relationship with Israel and what the current administration is doing to strengthen the connection.

“Internationally there will be a continued reassertion of our leadership,” he said. “We will stand with our friends, whether they are in the Middle East, like Israel, whether they are in Europe or in Asia.”

The protests called for recognition of Palestine as an independent state.

Despite the noise outside the building, Gorka’s event went smoothly with no interruptions.

“This is an event to let people know what our current presidential administration is doing in terms of Middle East Policy,” said Will Rierson from the UNC College Republicans.

“I don’t want this to be a controversial event. No one really wants it to be that. We’re talking about public policy here.”

Gorka took questions from the audience and touched on a number of other topics including his relationship with the president, how he got involved with the campaign and the Trump family’s connection with Russia.

“The president in public and the president in private is exactly the same man,” Gorka said. “What you see is what you get.”

The event was sponsored by Christians United For Israel, with co-sponsorships from UNC College Republicans and Turning Point USA.

Related Stories
‹
Chapel Hill Alerts Residents To Upcoming S. Columbia Road Closure
The Town of Chapel Hill announced that a section of S. Columbia St. will be closed as UNC conducts maintenance on its steam tunnel system.
Multiple UNC Football Players Facing Reckless Driving Charges
Several UNC football players are facing charges of reckless driving, speeding and other violations. An investigation by WRAL, originally published Monday afternoon, reported that “nearly 20 percent” of UNC’s 101-man roster has been cited for speeding since October of 2024. The investigation named three specific players: linebacker Khmori House, safety Gavin Gibson and cornerback Thaddeus […]
Parking, Parties and Team History: What to Know Ahead of Mexico vs. Türkiye Soccer in Chapel Hill
The men's national soccer teams of Mexico and Türkiye will meet in Chapel Hill Tuesday for a friendly. Here's what to know before you go.
Police: UNC Student Victim of Carjacking in W. Franklin Street Parking Deck
Chapel Hill Police are investigating the carjacking of a UNC student that took place early Saturday morning. No injuries are reported.
Honoring Chapel Hill's Black Builders: UNC Landmarks and the Local Faces Who Built Them
Maps are storytellers, but they can exclude certain narratives. Fowota Mortoo said that’s the case for Chapel Hill’s Black builders.
No More Coal? Chapel Hill Prepares for Hearing on UNC's Co-Gen Plant and Potential New Fuel Source
Chapel Hill Town Hall will host a hearing on Thursday to take comments on a potential alternative fuel source for UNC's cogeneration plant.
Photo Gallery: Chapel Hill Sees First Snow in Years
For a few hours over the weekend, the greater Chapel Hill community was in a winter wonderland. A winter storm blanketed Orange County and the surrounding area with a thin layer of snow on Friday. Overnight on Saturday, it was later packed down or rinse away by freezing rain, which its own layer of ice […]
UNC: Ridge Road Open to One Lane After Month-Long Closure, Still 2 Weeks From Normal Traffic
Ridge Road on UNC campus is allowing vehicles and pedestrians through once again. But normal traffic patterns are likely still weeks away.
Chapel Hill Police Investigate Pair of Overnight Armed Robberies Reported 8 Minutes Apart
A pair of armed robberies reportedly took place less than ten minutes from each other during the early morning hours of Saturday, according to Chapel Hill Police.
Chapel Hill Jeweler Contributes 'Blue Crown' Prop to Latest Season of Netflix's 'Outer Banks'
Chapel Hill jeweler William Travis Kukovich was hired to create the Blue Crown, a featured prop, for Netflix's new season of "Outer Banks."
›