Overview

• The Boston Globe reported that Michael Velchik, the Justice Department attorney arguing to maintain Harvard’s funding suspension, submitted a college assignment from Adolf Hitler’s viewpoint.
• Sources told the Globe the instructor was disturbed by the choice and asked Velchik to redo the paper.
• Emails obtained by the Globe show Velchik later described Mein Kampf as his favorite book from a year of travel and called it “fascinating,” praising Hitler’s oratory and grasp of propaganda.
• Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate publicly defended Velchik’s record, calling his courtroom work respectful and professional.
• Harvard is litigating the suspension of hundreds of millions in research grants after a July hearing where Judge Allison D. Burroughs pressed the government’s rationale, while Columbia and Brown restored funding through settlements.