Republican Conference Chair Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., questions Columbia University president Nemat Shafik at the House Committee on Education and the Workforce hearing in Washington, Wednesday, April 17, 2024. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., asserted that Massad's piece glorified Hamas' slaughter of nearly 1,200 Jews.
Asked whether Massad faced any disciplinary action, Shafik testified that the professor had been "spoken to" by the head of his department of Middle Eastern, South Asian and African Studies and his dean. Though the university president said she was had not been a part of those discussions, Shafik said to Congress that Massad was told that the language he used in his article "was unacceptable."
But Massad's statements to CNN after the congressional hearing contradicted Shafik's testimony.
"I was shown solidarity by my chair and deans based on the death threats that I received and the campaign targeting me," he reportedly told CNN Thursday regarding prior talks.
Police take security measures as demonstrators gather outside Columbia University to support the students' "Gaza Solidarity Encampment" demanding divestment from Israel in New York City on April 17, 2024. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Shafik said she wanted "to confirm the facts before getting back to you," and Stefanik acknowledged that the university president did confirm that Massad was under investigation for alleged discrimination.
"Did you confirm he was still the chair?" Stefanik asked.
"I need to confirm that with you. I want to – I need to check," Shafik said.
Stefanik pressed, "Well, let me ask you this: Will you make the commitment to remove him as chair?
"I think that would be – I think I would, yes. Let me come back with yes. But I think I just want to confirm his current status before I reply," Shafik told the committee, to which Stefanik replied, "We’ll take that as a yes, that you will confirm that he will no longer be chair."
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Massad reportedly told CNN on Thursday that he intends to remain a member of the committee next year for a three-year term. CNN also highlighted how Massad is an outgoing chair because of term limits, meaning that he would be leaving the leadership role in a matter of weeks anyway without any disciplinary action.
Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.
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