PHOTO: Auburn HC Bruce Pearl expresses disappointment over Congress members skipping Israeli PM's address at US Capitol

Days after POTUS Joe Biden endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris to represent the Democratic Party, Bruce Pearl made the VP and other members’ absence known from the United States Capitol. The Auburn Tigers coach was in the vicinity to witness Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak in a joint session on Wednesday.

Pearl posted a photo of himself in front of the Statue of Freedom while quipping his desolation in light empty Congress chairs and questioned its potential impact on the mindset of young students, protestors and Israel's enemies.

"I'm standing next to the statue of freedom in US Capital excited to hear from the Israeli PM. It breaks my heart that our VP and other members of Congress from both sides of the aisle won't be here. What message does that send to Israel's enemies, protesters and college students?," Pearl wrote on his X post.

Harris is the assumed frontrunner for the presidential nomination after Biden’s withdrawal, putting her in the position of authority to be part of the session. However, she was spearheading her pre-planned campaign venture in Indiana. She had notified about her absence the previous weekend.

Bruce Pearl has never shied away from portraying his political beliefs in public and has actively displayed his support for Israel throughout the Hamas attack. Moreover, earlier this month, he met with Senator Tommy Tuberville in light of issues around antisemitism and its effects on the public.

Bruce Pearl and Auburn line up for multi-year non-conference games against Purdue

Bruce Pearl intended to turn the 2024-25 season into the most competitive season in the program's recent history. With that, they are now aligned to face the runner-up of the 2024 NCAA title Purdue Boilermakers in a 2-year series starting on December 21 this season.

The 2024 game will be played at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention while the December 20, 2025 game will shift to Indianapolis’ Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Purdue currently leads the matchups with Auburn (2-1) and has won both contests with at least an 18-point margin. They won the 2001 NIT Tournament game with 79-61 and posted a 96-71 in 2016. Auburn, yet to display their mettle over the Boilermakers, barely won their first faceoff in 1985 with a 59-58 score.