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’

Congress began investigating Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania after their presidents failed to condemn students who called for Jewish genocide.

The House Education and Workforce Committee will scrutinize elite schools “using the full force of subpoenas,” following the surprising words and actions of Presidents Claudine Gay, Sally Kornbluth and Liz Magill this week.

All three agreed that reprimanding students who call for Jewish genocide is not a high priority, but instead they said blatant anti-Semitism depends on “context.”

Since Hamas’ brutal attack on innocent Israeli citizens on October 7, the campuses of Harvard, MIT, and Penn State have been inundated with unregulated anti-Israel protests.

Pennsylvania’s Magill, a lawyer by profession, even grinned and smiled as she refused to classify calls for genocide as harassment or a violation of the school’s code of conduct before Congress on Tuesday.

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

On Thursday, she said: “Following this week’s pathetic and morally bankrupt testimony from university presidents in response to my questions, the Education and Workforce Committee is launching a formal congressional investigation with the full force of a subpoena against Penn, MIT, Harvard and others.

“We will use the full power of Congress to hold these schools accountable for their failures on the world stage.”

Chairman Virginia Foxx announced a formal investigation into Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: “Testimony we received earlier this week from Presidents Gay, Magill and Kornbluth about the response of Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to the rampant anti-Semitism displayed in their campuses of students and teachers was completely unacceptable.

“The committee members are deeply concerned about their leadership and its failure to take steps to provide Jewish students with the safe learning environment they are legally entitled to.

“Given these institutional and personal failures, the committee is launching a formal investigation into the educational environment at Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as their policies and disciplinary procedures.

“This investigation will include a request for significant documents, and the Committee will not hesitate to take enforcement action, including subpoenas, if a full response is not received immediately.

“The abhorrent harassment and persecution of Jewish students is not limited to these institutions, and other universities should also expect investigations as their long list of similar failures has not gone unnoticed.”

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

Stefanik demanded leaders clearly define whether student calls for an “intifada” or “Jewish genocide” violated their codes of conduct regarding bullying and harassment.

All three refused to classify the bloodthirsty anti-Semitic slogans as persecution.

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

Gay, Magill and Kornbluth were hailed for their diversity and inclusion when they became presidents of their respective departments.

Now, all three university presidents face furious calls for their immediate resignations—from students, donors, politicians and alumni.

Their sensational failure to condemn calls for genocide against Jews and protect students from anti-Semitism will now be punished at the highest level.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro criticized Magill’s comments.

He said: “This was an unacceptable statement from the President of Pennsylvania.

“To be honest, I thought her comments were absolutely disgraceful.

“Condemning genocide should not be difficult.”

Sen. Doug Mastriano called for Magill’s immediate resignation Thursday.

He wrote: “Your response, coupled with your behavior (the smirk you wore on your face during his speech), raised serious concerns about your personal commitment and the university’s willingness and ability to adopt and promote policies to prevent anti-Semitic activity at Penn State. . .’

Senator Bob Casey said in response to Magill’s testimony in Congress: “President Magill’s comments yesterday were offensive, but what she did not say was equally offensive.

“The right to free speech is fundamental, but calling for the genocide of Jews is anti-Semitism and persecution, period.”

Senator John Fetterman also called the testimony a “major failure.”

He wrote: “There is no ‘both sides’ and this is not ‘free speech’, it is just hate speech. This was embarrassing for the venerable University of Pennsylvania, and leaders should have reflexively condemned anti-Semitism and stood up for the Jewish community or any other community facing this kind of abuse.”

Alex Immerman, who attended Penn’s Wharton business school and is now a partner at Andreessen Horowitz, said he claimed the college’s 2023 endowment.

He wrote: “I called Penn yesterday and asked for a refund for 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 its leadership.”