Overview

• The Boston Globe reported that Michael Velchik, a Justice Department attorney involved in the Trump administration’s action against Harvard, authored a college assignment from Adolf Hitler’s perspective and praised Mein Kampf in emails.
• In 2011 as a Harvard undergraduate, Velchik chose Hitler for a Latin assignment inviting a controversial persona, and the instructor reportedly required him to redo the paper.
• Emails from 2013 attributed to Velchik described Mein Kampf as his favorite book that year, and later called it “fascinating” while lauding Hitler’s oratory and grasp of propaganda without mentioning the Holocaust.
• The New Republic highlighted the Globe’s reporting on Tuesday, underscoring how the past writings are being scrutinized because of Velchik’s current enforcement role.
• Coverage also notes Velchik defended the administration’s suspension of Harvard research funds in a July hearing, as he argued against taxpayer support for institutions showing indifference to antisemitism.