VA Dems reject Youngkin’s antisemitism expert pick from George Mason Univ board amid troubling incidents
The latest incident of antisemitism at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, has sparked controversy as Democrats in the Virginia State Senate rejected Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s nomination of Kenneth Marcus, a renowned antisemitism scholar, to its Board of Visitors. Marcus, the founder of the Brandeis Center and former undersecretary in the Education Department’s civil rights division, was struck from consideration by the Senate Privileges & Elections Committee in a party-line vote.
Described by The New York Times as “the man who helped redefine campus antisemitism,” Marcus expressed his disappointment at the rejection, especially considering his successful efforts in combating antisemitism at Harvard University. Despite serving on the GMU board since mid-2024 without incident, Marcus faced opposition from Democratic senators.
The issue of antisemitism at GMU has been exacerbated by recent events, including an FBI investigation into a freshman IT major from Egypt for allegedly planning a bombing at the Israeli Consulate in New York City. Additionally, members of Students for Justice in Palestine were banned from campus after displaying inflammatory signage and firearms.
Governor Youngkin, who nominated Marcus, is reportedly dismayed by the Democrats’ decision but is working behind the scenes to address the situation. Marcus, who has been actively involved in combating antisemitism on campus, worked towards incorporating antisemitism definitions into GMU’s anti-discrimination policy.
GMU has also faced challenges with anti-Zionist vandalism and a federal probe into reported antisemitic activities. Despite the controversies, GMU President Gregory Washington has supported student protests, emphasizing freedom of speech.
The Senate P&E Committee also rejected nominations for other prominent figures, including former Vice President Mike Pence’s Chief of Staff Marc Short and Nina Rees, a senior official for the George W. Bush Presidential Library.
Richmond Republicans are seeking to reinstate Marcus’ nomination, but their efforts may face challenges without Democratic support in the Senate. Fox News Digital reached out to Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell and Senate P&E Committee Chair Aaron Rouse for comments on Marcus’ rejection.
In conclusion, the rejection of Kenneth Marcus’ nomination amid rising antisemitism concerns at GMU highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the university. As efforts continue to address and combat antisemitism on campus, the decision to reject Marcus raises questions about the approach to addressing such critical issues in higher education institutions.
