The House Education and Workforce Committee has subpoenaed Harvard University for allegedly obstructing an antisemitism investigation. The accusations stem from the congressional testimony of now former Harvard President Claudine Gay in a exchange with Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y.
Gay’s congressional testimony prompted other investigations, including one accusing her of plagiarizing portions of her work for the duration of her academic career. That investigation eventually led to Gay’s resignation.
House Republicans said Harvard had an “unacceptable” response to the committee’s request for information on antisemitic attacks on campus. The committee wants to see the university’s documentation of all anti-Jewish incidents on campus for the past three years in order to examine how Harvard addresses Jewish students’ concerns.
Harvard said it already complied to the request, handing over 3,500 pages related to the inquiry. The committee called the materials incomplete and issued the subpoena calling for full documentation.
The subpoena is asking for documents and communications related to the alleged harassment of Jewish students at a “die-in” protest, pro-Palestinian protests and a week-long anti-Israeli campaign on campus.
“Harvard’s continued failure to satisfy the committee’s requests is unacceptable,” Education Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R-N.C. said. “I will not tolerate delay and defiance of our investigation while Harvard’s Jewish students continue to endure the firestorm of antisemitism that has engulfed its campus.”
After receiving the subpoena, Harvard reiterated that antisemitism has no place in the university’s community, but also voiced concerns over protecting the privacy of its community.
“While the subpoenas were unwarranted, Harvard remains committed to cooperating with the committee and will continue to provide additional materials, while protecting the legitimate privacy, safety and security concerns of our community,” a Harvard spokesperson said.
The university has until March 4 to respond to the committee with a more thorough response.
