Time To Give Columbia University Something They CAN Remember

Do they genuinely believe that Jewish students or any supporters of Israel deserve to be mistreated in this manner? Similarly, do they think it is acceptable to allow those who harbor hatred towards Jews or Israel to openly express their animosity without consequence? The double-edged sword that the university permits the student body to wield damages everyone; no one escapes unscathed.

Former Columbia University president Katrina Armstrong informed the federal government on Tuesday that she could not remember any instances of students calling for the destruction of the state of Israel. Additionally, she did not recall allegations of students spitting on their Jewish peers, nor could she remember a faculty member referring to Jewish donors to Columbia in class as "wealthy white capitalists who laundered blood money."

During a deposition at the Department of Health and Human Services regarding the Trump administration's civil rights investigation into the university, Armstrong, who had served as interim president for seven months, appeared to struggle recalling details about her time in that role. The Washington Free Beacon obtained a transcript of the deposition.

"Sitting here, I have, you know, no specific memory of hearing that," Armstrong said regarding her recollection of student activists agitating for Israel’s demise, "but I recognize the concern about that and understand that."

Armstrong resigned last week, just days after a transcript of an internal meeting was leaked. In that meeting, she informed faculty members that, despite the university's public statements to the federal government, it would not implement several changes demanded by the Trump administration.

In a statement released on Sunday, following an inquiry from the Free Beacon, the university announced that Dr. Armstrong has (conveniently) decided to take a sabbatical to spend time with her family. This decision was made in consultation with her successor, Claire Shipman. Dr. Armstrong had previously been scheduled to return to her position as CEO of Columbia's medical center.

During the interview, the government questioned Armstrong about her awareness of the university's Task Force on Antisemitism and whether the institution had implemented any changes in response to its recommendations. They also inquired about how the university intended to reform itself following the Trump administration's decision to cut off over $400 million in federal funding. She was also asked to clarify the extent of her authority as interim president.

Armstrong's testimony, or the lack thereof, raises questions regarding the status of authority at the university and the reasoning behind the Columbia Board of Trustees' decision to appoint Armstrong as the new leader. This decision follows another conveniently timed resignation by former Columbia President Minouche Shafik last August, amid intense scrutiny of higher education institutions and their leadership.

In response to a request for comment, a spokeswoman for Columbia University provided a statement from the school's board of trustees:

"Columbia University is fully committed to addressing the issues raised by our federal regulators regarding discrimination, harassment, and antisemitism. We are dedicated to implementing the policy changes and commitments outlined in our letter dated March 21.”

"This testimony does not reflect the hard work undertaken by the University to combat antisemitism, harassment, and discrimination and ensure the safety and well-being of our community."

Under increased pressure from the acting general counsel of the Department of Health and Human Services, Sean Keveny, Armstrong became defensive when he asked:

"So, the—the buck stops with you, right? Under the Charter of Columbia University, like you—you're in charge?"

Armstrong responded:

"My understanding of the Charter is that the trustees have full responsibility for the University."

When asked whether she had "any actual authority," she responded, “some.”

The suddenly forgetful Armstrong stated that she could not remember much from a report published last August by the Columbia University Task Force on Antisemitism. This report interviewed hundreds of Jewish and Israeli students about their experiences on campus after October 7. It highlights that many of the incidents reported by students involved being verbally attacked or spat on while walking on Broadway because they were wearing kippahs.

Armstrong’s refusal to acknowledge any events over the past year, or the past month, obviously irritated and frustrated Keveny during his questioning.

"I don't understand how you could read that in this report and not remember hearing an allegation that a student had spit on a Jewish student?"

Later, Keveny asked Armstrong whether she recalled any of the "specific horrible things you heard from Jewish students."

Armstrong dodged the question, stating:

"The most hurtful things I heard were about friends no longer being friends."

An irritated Keveny responded:

"How you have such a terrible memory of specific incidents of antisemitism when you're clearly an intelligent doctor?" He continued, "Can you explain that to me; how do you not remember all these horrible specific things that happened on campus?"

The Trump administration has paused funding for several universities, including Brown and Princeton. However, the government's focus on one of the main offenders, Columbia University, has become a central element of its efforts to reform higher education.

Last year, Columbia University gained national attention when students illegally set up a tent encampment on the university lawn, clearly violating campus policy. Tensions between students and the administration escalated in April 2024 when students stormed and occupied Hamilton Hall, a building used by the administration. Eventually, Columbia University called in the New York Police Department to restore order. By that time, in a typical "better late than never" manner, the university had to cancel in-person classes and the graduation ceremony.

Columbia’s disciplinary processes operate at a ridiculously slow pace, and most students were not disciplined at all. Some of the students who stormed Hamilton Hall were expelled in mid-March, though the university chose not to provide a specific number.

The situation attracted the attention of the Trump administration. After suspending hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants, the administration's Task Force on Antisemitism called for a series of reforms, including a ban on masked protests, to facilitate discussions with university administrators about restoring those funds. While Columbia University publicly announced several reforms, Armstrong subversely informed a group of faculty members the following day that there would be “no changes” to the school’s policy on masked protests and no alterations to the disciplinary process.

During her deposition on Tuesday, Armstrong was asked what she communicated to faculty members in that meeting. Although several news outlets obtained a transcript of the session, Armstrong continued to state that she "did not have precise recollections" of what she said, "in that meeting or in related meetings in the following days."

"You’re aware there’s a transcript of that meeting?" Keveny, of HHS, asked her.

"I have understood that," she replied.

Armstrong is a leftist puppet. A placeholder who was put in the job to do nothing, and she excelled at it. Her memory lapse is meant to be her escape hatch, and we shouldn’t let it be.

Whoever is replacing her needs to understand that there is nothing special about Columbia, and their defiance in correcting any and all Antisemitism will no longer be tolerated. The gloves need to come completely off with this arrogant, antisemitic, and deliberately forgetful institution of lower learning. They have had their 15 minutes of the limelight, now they need to be reminded in a manner that they will NEVER forget.