Congress vows to throw the book at Harvard, MIT and UPenn with ‘full force of subpoena power’ after shameful anti-Semitism hearing where college presidents gave ‘pathetic and morally bankrupt testimony’

By James On Dec 7, 2023

Congress has launched an investigation into Harvard University, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania after their presidents failed to convict students who called for a Jewish genocide.

The House Education and Workforce Committee will investigate elite schools with the “full force of subpoena,” following the astonishing words and actions of Presidents Claudine Gay, Sally Kornbluth and Liz Magill this week.

The trio all agreed that reprimanding students who call for a Jewish genocide was not of paramount importance, saying instead that the blatant anti-Semitism is “context specific.”

Since Hamas' brutal attack on innocent Israeli civilians on October 7, the campuses of Harvard, MIT and Penn have been awash with unregulated anti-Israel protests.

Liz Magill, president of the University of Pennsylvania

Penn's Magill, a lawyer by trade, grinned and even smiled as she refused in front of Congress on Tuesday to categorize calls for genocide as harassment or a violation of the school's code of conduct.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, who questioned the three leaders, has branded the presidents as morally bankrupt and vowed to hold the schools accountable.

She said Thursday: “After this week's pathetic and morally bankrupt testimony by university presidents in answering my questions, the Education and Workforce Committee is launching an official Congressional investigation with the full force of subpoena into Penn, MIT, & Harvard and others.

“We will use our full congressional authority to hold these schools accountable for their failures on the world stage.”

President Virginia Foxx announced the formal investigation against Harvard, UPenn, and MIT: “The testimony we received earlier this week from Presidents Gay, Magill, and Kornbluth regarding Harvard, UPenn, and MIT's responses to the rampant anti-Semitism seen on their campuses shown by students and teachers was absolutely unacceptable.

“Committee members are deeply concerned about their leadership and their failure to take steps to provide Jewish students with the safe learning environment they are owed under the law.

“Given these institutional and personal failures, the committee is opening a formal investigation into the learning environments at Harvard, UPenn, and MIT and their policies and disciplinary procedures.

“This investigation will include substantial document requests, and the committee will not hesitate to take enforcement action, including subpoenas, if a complete response is not provided immediately.

“The vile attacks and harassment of Jewish students are not limited to these institutions, and other universities should also expect investigations as their litany of similar failures has not gone unnoticed.”

Rep. Elise Stefanik said, “We will use our full congressional authority to hold these schools accountable for their failures on the world stage.”

During the five-hour hearing, Gay, Magill and Kornbluth were questioned about their response to anti-Semitism on their campuses.

Stefanik demanded that leaders explain whether students' calls for “intifada” or “the genocide of Jews” violate their codes of conduct on bullying or harassment.

All three refused to label the bloodthirsty, anti-Semitic slogans as intimidation.

Instead, they said they are committed to preserving free speech on campus.

Gay, Magill and Kornbluth were all praised for their diversity and inclusivity when they became presidents at their respective institutional helms.

Now all three university presidents are facing fierce calls for their immediate resignation – from students, donors, politicians and alumni.

Their sensational failure to condemn genocidal calls against Jews – and protect students from anti-Semitism – will now be disciplined at the highest levels.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro denounced Magill's comments.

He said, “That was an unacceptable statement from the president of Penn.

'To be honest, I found her comments downright embarrassing.

“It shouldn't be difficult to condemn genocide.”

Senator Doug Mastriano on Thursday called for Magill's immediate resignation.

He wrote: 'Your response, combined with your behavior (the grin you wore on your face as you delivered it) raised serious concerns about your personal involvement and the university's willingness and ability to issue and enforce policies to prevent anti-Semitic activities at the University of Pennsylvania. .'

Senator Bob Casey, in response to Magill's actions in Congress, said: “President Magill's comments yesterday were offensive, but just as offensive was what she didn't say.

Claudine Gay, Liz Magill, Dr. Pamela Nadell, professor of history and Jewish studies at American University, and Sally Kornbluth, testified Tuesday

“The right to freedom of expression is fundamental, but calling for the genocide of Jews is anti-Semitic and intimidating, period.”

Senator John Fetterman also described the testimony as “a significant failure.”

He wrote: “There is no 'both sides-ism' and it is not 'free speech', it is just hate speech. It was embarrassing for a venerable university in Pennsylvania, and it should be reflexive for leaders to condemn anti-Semitism and stand up for the Jewish community or any community that faces this kind of invective.”

Alex Immerman, who attended Penn's Wharton Business School and is now a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, said he was demanding his 2023 donation back from the university.

He wrote, “Yesterday I called Penn and asked for a refund on my 2023 donation. I've loved Penn for as long as I can remember.

'It prepared me for my career and gave me lifelong friends, my wife and incredible memories. But I can no longer support the moral bankruptcy of his leadership.”

Meanwhile, Harvard University's student newspaper has criticized President Claudine Gay, saying she has “fanned the flames of controversy” with her controversial statements on anti-Semitism.

The Harvard Crimson highlighted the congressional hearing where members demanded Gay's resignation and the fierce backlash she has since received.

Leadership at Harvard Hillel, the university's Jewish center, also called her comments “very shocking,” and expressed distrust in the president's ability to protect Jewish students at the Ivy League university.

The Crimson also called out the university for allowing pro-Palestinian protests led by unrecognized student groups to flourish on campus.

The protests have aggressively supported Palestine with chants of “from the river to the sea” and “globalize the intifada.”

After severe backlash and a donor boycott, Gay released a statement Wednesday insisting she had been misunderstood during her testimony in Congress.

“There are some who have confused the right to free speech with the idea that Harvard will condone calls for violence against Jewish students,” Gay said.

“Let me be clear: Calls for violence or genocide against the Jewish community, or any religious or ethnic group, are despicable, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held accountable.”

Also the university newspaper exposed unrecognized pro-Palestinian student groups protesting on campus.