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 has launched an investigation into Harvard University, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania following their presidents' failure to condemn students calling for a Jewish genocide. 

The House Education and the Workforce Committee will probe the elite schools with the 'full force of subpoena power,' after presidents Claudine Gay, Sally Kornbluth, and Liz Magill's astonishing words and actions this week.

The trio all agreed that reprimanding students who call for a Jewish genocide was not paramount - but instead, they said the blatant antisemitism is 'context' specific. 

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

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

Rep. Elise Stefanik, who quizzed the three leaders, has slammed the presidents as morally bankrupt - and swore to hold the schools accountable.

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

'We will use our full Congressional authority to hold these schools accountable for their failure on the global stage.' 

Chairwoman Virginia Foxx announced the formal investigation against Harvard, UPenn, and MIT: 'The testimony we received earlier this week from Presidents Gay, Magill, and Kornbluth about the responses of Harvard, UPenn, and MIT to the rampant antisemitism displayed on their campuses by students and faculty was absolutely unacceptable. 

'Committee members have deep concerns with their leadership and their failure to take steps to provide Jewish students the safe learning environment they are due under law. 

'Given those 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 utilize compulsory measures including subpoenas if a full response is not immediately forthcoming. 

'The disgusting targeting and harassment of Jewish students is not limited to these institutions, and other universities should expect investigations as well, as their litany of similar failures has not gone unnoticed.' 

During the five-hour hearing, Gay, Magill and Kornbluth were questioned over their response to antisemitism on their campuses.

Stefanik demanded the leaders outline whether student calls for 'intifada' or 'the genocide of Jews' violate their codes of conduct on bullying or harassment. 

All three refused to class the bloodthirsty, antisemitic slogans as harassment.

They instead said they are committed to preserving free speech on campus. 

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

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

Their sensational failure to condemn genocidal calls against Jews - and protect students against antisemitism - will now be disciplined at the highest level. 

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro slammed Magill's comments.

He said: 'That was an unacceptable statement from the president of Penn.

'Frankly, I thought her comments were absolutely shameful. 

'It should not be hard to condemn genocide.' 

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

He wrote: 'Your answer, combined with your demeanor (the smirk you wore on your face while delivering it) raised serious concerns about your personal commitment and the university's willingness and ability to enact and advance policies to prevent antisemitic activity at the University of Pennsylvania.'  

Senator Bob Casey said in response to Magill's congressional appearance: 'President Magill's comments yesterday were offensive, but equally offensive was what she didn't say.

'The right to free speech is fundamental, but calling for the genocide of Jews is antisemitic and harassment, full stop.'

Senator John Fetterman also described the testimony as 'a significant fail.'

He wrote: 'There is no 'both sides-ism' and it isn't 'free speech,' it's simply hate speech. It was embarrassing for a venerable Pennsylvania university, and it should be reflexive for leaders to condemn antisemitism and stand up for the Jewish community or any community facing this kind of invective.'

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

He wrote: 'Yesterday I called Penn and asked for a refund on my 2023 donation. I have 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.' 

Meanwhile, Harvard University's student newspaper slammed President Claudine Gay, saying she 'fanned the flamed of controversy' with her contentious statements on antisemitism. 

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

The leadership of Harvard Hillel, the University's Jewish center, also called her remarks 'profoundly shocking,' expressing their distrust in the president's ability to protect Jewish students at the Ivy League university.

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

The protests have aggressively backed Palestine using chants such as 'from the river to the sea' and 'globalize the intifada.' 

After severe backlash and a donor boycott, Gay released a statement on Wednesday insisting she'd been misunderstood during her Congressional testimony. 

'There are some who have confused a right to free expression 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 vile, they have no place at Harvard, and those who threaten our Jewish students will be held to account.'

The university paper also exposed unrecognized pro-Palestinian student groups holding protests on campus.