Warning: this episode contains strong language.

Universities across the country strained under pressure to take a public position on the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas.

Nicholas Confessore, a political and investigative reporter for The Times, explains the story behind a congressional hearing that ended the career of one university president, jeopardized the jobs of two others, and kicked off an emotional debate about antisemitism and free speech on college campuses.

Guest: Nicholas Confessore (https://www.nytimes.com/by/nicholas-confessore?smid=pc-thedaily) , a political and investigative reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• Harvard’s governing body said it stood firmly behind Claudine Gay as the university’s president (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/12/us/harvard-president-claudine-gay.html?smid=pc-thedaily) , a stance both praised and condemned by students, faculty and alumni.
• As fury erupts over campus antisemitism, conservatives have seized the moment (https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/10/us/universities-antisemitism-conservatives-liberals.html) .

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily (http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily) . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.