Biden administration staffers call for cease-fire while protesting outside White House 

Biden administration staffers held a vigil outside of the White House Wednesday where they called for a cease-fire in Gaza.

“A group of Biden administration staffers calling for a ceasefire are gathered right now outside the White House,” an NBC senior White House correspondent posted to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday.

The post featured a photo of a group gathered in front of the White House, with a few holding a banner reading “PRESIDENT BIDEN, YOUR STAFF DEMANDS A CEASEFIRE.” In front of the group, there also appeared to be candles arranged in such a way as to spell out “CEASEFIRE.”

According to CNN, the vigil featured over three dozen people. A State Department official named Josh Paul, who resigned in mid-October due to his opposition to the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, reportedly gave opening remarks at the vigil. 

“The American people and respected institutions like the United Nations are pleading for a ceasefire, but this administration has yet to listen. We demand President Biden and members of the Cabinet to speak up: Call for a permanent ceasefire, a release of all hostages and an immediate de-escalation now,” Paul said at the vigil, per CNN.

Another former administration staffer read a statement from Palestinian officials, according to CNN.

“The US government’s decision to double down on fueling the violence has put our objectives … around the globe in jeopardy for us to achieve any movement on some of the most intractable issues we face today,” the administration staffer said, per CNN.

The Hill has reached out to the U.S. Secret Service and the White House.