Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
As George Mason University grapples with the latest incident of anti-Semitism linked to its campus in Fairfax, Virginia, Democrats in the Virginia state Senate rejected the governor. by Glenn Youngkin nomination of one of the nation’s foremost scholars of anti-Semitism to its Board of Visitors.
Kenneth Marcus, founder of the Brandeis Center and former assistant secretary of the Department of Education’s civil rights division, was one of a handful of Youngkin nominees who were rejected from consideration by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee in a vote by the party line
Marcus has been described by the New York Times as “the man who helped redefine campus anti-Semitism,” and he told Fox News Digital in an interview Wednesday that he hoped to continue that work at GMU.
“It was disappointing to see Democratic senators move to block my nomination just as we scored a pretty significant victory on anti-Semitism in our Harvard University case,” Marcus said, noting that he had served without incident on the GMU board since mid-2024.
HARVARD SETTLES TWO LAWSUITS FOR ALLEGATIONS OF ANTI-SEMITISM
George Washington University students participate in a solidarity camp in Gaza along with other universities in the Washington, DC area. (Getty)
“I really can’t think of anything he’s done that has sparked any controversy other than working to protect George Mason students from anti-Semitism,” he said, noting that the school has struggled with the issue of late.
The FBI is investigating a GMU freshman who is an Egyptian national accused of distributing weapons information to promote a violent crime and threats against a foreign official, according to NBC News.
Abdullah Ezzeldin Taha Mohamed Hassan, 18, of Falls Church, Virginia, was allegedly trying to orchestrate a bombing of the Israeli consulate in New York City.
Leaders of Students for Justice in Palestine were also expelled from the campus after police found “Death to the Jews” and “Death to America” signs along with firearms.
“This is a big issue right now at George Mason with some very troubling, high-profile issues,” Marcus said.
A person familiar with Youngkin’s thoughts on the situation said the governor has “remained calm” and is not getting involved publicly, but is outraged by the Democrats’ move.
“He’s working quietly in hopes that Democratic senators will see the error of his ways,” the person told Fox News Digital.
YOUNGKIN ‘PERSONALLY INVITES’ NEW TRUMP ADMINISTRATION STAFF TO SETTLE IN VA OVER DC, MD
Marcus said he worked hard to combat anti-Semitism on campus during the seven months he has been on campus. “I have really enjoyed the opportunity to work with the administration and board of this institution to address a very serious problem that is happening here.”
Marcus said one issue he had been working on was incorporating definitions of anti-Semitism into GMU’s anti-discrimination policy.
“Since joining the board, the most significant thing I’ve done has been working with the administration to incorporate the idea of a working definition of anti-Semitism into George Mason’s anti-discrimination policy. That was a big step forward, and it’s been very It was disappointing to see members of the General Assembly respond the way they have,” he said.
GMU has also been the subject of anti-Zionist vandalism. Last February, GMU President Gregory Washington said there were at least 70 reports of incidents of anti-Semitism to administrators and acknowledged a federal investigation into alleged nefarious activity.
“I’ve been asked on numerous occasions to stop student protests. Even when you protest against me, I still support it because I support free speech,” Washington said. Fourth Estate student newspaper
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Virginia State Capitol. (Getty)
The Senate P&E Committee also removed nominations for former Vice President Mike Pence, chief of staff Marc Short and Nina Rees, a senior official at the George W. Bush Presidential Library, as well as an education attorney from the Richmond firm McGuire-Woods.
Richmond Republicans hope to add Marcus’ name back to the list of confirmed candidates Thursday, but a source suggested his path remains unlikely without any Democratic defections in the 21-19 Senate.
Fox News Digital reached out to both Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, D-Alexandria, and Senate P&E Committee Chairman Aaron Rouse, D-Virginia Beach, about Marcus’ rejection.
