A group of 13 conservative federal judges in the US have vowed not to hire Columbia University law students or undergraduates due to the school’s handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus. The judges sent a letter to Columbia’s President and law school dean, criticizing the campus as a hub for disruptions, antisemitism, and intolerance of diverse viewpoints. Columbia has been at the center of protests against the war in Gaza, leading to police involvement to dismantle demonstrators and make arrests on campus.
The judges, who were appointed by former President Trump and primarily serve in Texas, have expressed a loss of confidence in Columbia as an institution of higher education. They see the university as fostering bigotry and have deemed it unfit to educate future leaders. Federal judges hold significant influence in a law career, especially as they hire clerks who can lead to prestigious positions. The judges have outlined steps for the university to take, including recommending consequences for students and faculty involved in disruptions.
Columbia University has a history of student protests, with varying levels of disruption over the years. Recent protests led to the occupation of a school building, resulting in arrests. The judges argue that unlawfully trespassing and occupying public spaces is grounds for incarceration and suggest that universities should identify and warn employers about disruptive students. They believe that employers should be aware of the risk of hiring individuals from Columbia who engage in such behavior.
The judges who signed the letter, which was shared with CNN, include Judge James C. Ho, Judge Elizabeth L. Branch, and Judge Matthew H. Solomson. Columbia University has been requested to comment on the situation. The judges highlight the need for consequences for student protesters and assert that universities should take action to prevent disruptive behavior on campus. The judges believe that Columbia has disqualified itself from being a place of higher education due to its handling of protests and views expressed by some of its students and faculty.
The protests at Columbia University have had implications for federal judges who hire law clerks from the university. The judges see the school as an incubator of bigotry and have chosen to forego hiring students from Columbia due to their disapproval of the handling of protests. The judges emphasize that universities should take action against disruptive behavior to prevent future incidents and ensure a safe and respectful campus environment. The letter from the judges sheds light on the ongoing tensions between universities and conservative perspectives on campus activism.