(NEW YORK) — PEN America today called on the federal court in Philadelphia to deny the Trump administration’s attempt to enforce a subpoena against the University of Pennsylvania to disclose the names and other identifying information of past and current employees who made complaints of anti-Jewish discrimination, as well as employees in its Jewish Studies Program and student and other members of Jewish clubs, as part of an investigation by the administration’s Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
PEN America’s Chief Legal Officer Eileen Hershenov said: “We condemn this shocking abuse of power by the Trump administration, which is part and parcel of its efforts to impose orthodoxy on universities and consolidate an increasingly authoritarian regime. It is unprecedented to have the U.S. government cynically using the very real threat of surging antisemitism as cover to strip civil liberties from Americans. This subpoena is overbroad and unlawful, a dangerous fishing expedition that will chill speech on campus and intimidate students and faculty alike. It is patently unnecessary to any legitimate attempt to enforce anti-discrimination laws and could potentially endanger the University of Pennsylvania’s Jewish employees and students.”
Earlier this week, the Trump administration’s EEOC went to federal court to enforce a subpoena against the University of Pennsylvania to force the release of the names and identifying information around employees and other university community members associated with Jewish studies or clubs. The government’s subpoena and court motion purport to stem in part from an investigation into complaints of a hostile work environment lodged by Jewish faculty in December 2023. The subpoena also demands disclosure of the names and other personal information of employees in the Jewish Studies Program, and information about Jewish clubs, groups, organizations, and recreation groups and their members.
About PEN America
PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression in the United States and worldwide. We champion the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world. Our mission is to unite writers and their allies to celebrate creative expression and defend the liberties that make it possible. Learn more at pen.org.
Contact: Suzanne Trimel, [email protected], (201) 247-5057