Today, House Republican Leadership Chairwoman Elise Stefanik and NYC Councilwoman Inna Vernikov called for Governor Kathy Hochul to dismiss CUNY Chancellor Félix Rodríguez. The demand follows a hearing by the House Committee on Education & Workforce regarding the rise of antisemitism on campus.
Chairwoman Stefanik criticized Governor Hochul, stating, “I am calling on Governor Kathy Hochul the worst Governor in America, who has bent the knee to the antisemites in her party, to call on Chancellor Rodriguez to resign. She needs to make that call today.” She emphasized that Hochul controls the Board of Trustees responsible for hiring and firing the Chancellor. Stefanik further accused Democrats in New York of failing to take steps against antisemitism, asserting that “this scourge of antisemitism has skyrocketed on her watch.”
Stefanik expressed support for former President Trump’s actions regarding university accountability and pledged continued leadership on this issue. She challenged Governor Hochul’s stance by asking, “Why have you not condemned Zohran Mamdani’s raging antisemitism?”
Councilwoman Vernikov echoed Stefanik’s call for resignation, stating she had a letter from a bipartisan coalition requesting action from the governor. She highlighted Judge Lippman’s investigation into antisemitism at CUNY as evidence of long-standing awareness of the issue.
Both leaders criticized the current leadership at CUNY and urged immediate action from Governor Hochul to ensure protection for Jewish students.
