Congresswoman Tenney Demands Answers from Cornell on Reinstatement of Anti-Semitic Professor and Campus Vandalism

Washington, DC - Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24) called on Cornell University Interim President Michael Kotlikoff to answer for his alarming decision to reinstate Professor Russell Rickford, who made anti-Semitic comments, and to launch a formal investigation into the acts of vandalism that occurred on the first day of classes. Tenney is also requesting clarification on the resources and guidance being offered to ensure the safety and well-being of Jewish students at Cornell.

Following the October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, which claimed the lives of over 1,300 Israelis, Rickford described the Hamas-led violence as "energizing" and "exhilarating" while speaking at an anti-Israel rally on Cornell's campus. Tenney immediately called for his resignation. Instead, Rickford took a leave of absence for the 2023-2024 academic year but has since returned to his teaching post. Tenney is now pressing Interim President Kotlikoff to explain why Rickford was reinstated. In addition, she is demanding information on the university's response to the vandalism and outlines the measures being taken to protect Jewish students and prevent the recurrence of such disturbing incidents.

"While I wholly support every student's right to freedom of expression, this does not extend to vandalism or threats towards other students. On the first day of the Fall Semester, anti-Israel protestors vandalized a university building, further terrorizing the Jewish community on Cornell's campus. This is compounded by the disgusting decision by Cornell's leadership to continue employing Mr. Rickford after his horrific statements that celebrated the murder of innocent people and incited violence. I am demanding answers on what Cornell is doing to help protect Jewish students during the upcoming semester and why the university would choose to retain a blatantly anti-Semitic professor," said Congresswoman Tenney.

Tenney demanded answers to the following questions by September 30.

1. What additional resources or guidance is your administration providing to Jewish Cornell students to prevent a repeat of last year? Why should Jewish students have faith in Cornell's efforts to keep them safe this semester?
2. What additional measures is your administration taking to crackdown on hate speech and anti-Semitism? Please share any details regarding your administration's efforts to investigate and identify students responsible for these actions.
3. What is the status of the investigation into the vandalism from the first day of classes?
4. Why does Cornell University choose to continue employing Mr. Rickford? If Mr. Rickford made a similar comment under your administration, would that be grounds for termination?

Read the full text of the letter here.

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