UC Berkeley Ideology Professor Judith Butler Among 160 Named in “Antisemitism” Files Sent to Trump Administration
BERKELEY, CA – Renowned philosopher and UC Berkeley professor Judith Butler is among over 160 academics identified in files compiled by UC Berkeley officials and shared with the Trump administration alleging antisemitism, according to a report published in The Chronicle of Higher Education. The files, compiled in response to a 2019 request from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, have sparked concerns about academic freedom and a revival of McCarthy-era tactics on college campuses.
The documents, obtained through a public records request, detail criticisms leveled against faculty members regarding their views on Israel and Palestine. Butler, a Jewish scholar specializing in gender, sexuality, and political theory, was included for their support of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement. The revelation comes as universities nationwide face heightened scrutiny over alleged antisemitism and Islamophobia amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
During a recent appearance on Democracy Now!, Butler responded to conservative commentator Charlie Kirk’s criticism of their inclusion alongside Angela Davis and Kimberlé Crenshaw, stating, “I’m very proud to be put in a club with Angela Davis and Kimberlé Crenshaw… I stand by them. And hopefully, we’re all able to continue educating and lecturing without further political repression.”
The practice of universities compiling and sharing such files echoes tactics used during the McCarthy era, raising alarms among civil liberties advocates. Butler’s new piece in The Chronicle of Higher Education, titled “When Universities Become Informants,” details the implications of this practice. The files were reportedly handed over despite a lack of formal inquiry or due process for those named.
The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for civil Rights initiated the investigation following complaints alleging a opposed environment for Jewish students at UC Berkeley. The university has defended its actions as a response to federal requirements, while critics argue it represents a chilling affect on academic discourse and a politically motivated attempt to silence dissenting voices.
