Why the Trump Administration's Demand for Jewish Lists at Penn is So Dangerous
The Trump administration's demand for the University of Pennsylvania to compile and disclose a comprehensive list of Jewish faculty, staff, and students has ignited profound concerns about government overreach and the potential for persecution. This controversial move, framed as an effort to combat antisemitism, has united diverse organisations in opposition, highlighting the alarming implications of such data collection.
Historical Parallels and Contemporary Fears
History provides stark warnings about the dangers of compiling lists of Jewish people, regardless of the stated purpose. Many Jewish academics and community members have direct family connections to those who suffered under authoritarian regimes that used similar lists to target minorities. The Dutch government's 1941 census of Jewish citizens, which was later exploited by Nazi invaders to identify people for deportation and extermination, serves as a chilling historical precedent.
Even if the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's current demand represents a genuine attempt to address antisemitism, the creation of such lists creates vulnerabilities. Personal data can be leaked, misused, or repurposed for more sinister objectives in the future, putting individuals at risk regardless of the original intent.
Broad Coalition of Opposition
The remarkable unity among typically diverse organisations speaks volumes about the seriousness of this situation. Penn's Hillel and Meor chapters, the AAUP-Penn, the Association for Jewish Studies, the American Council on Education, Pen America, and local chapters of the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish Federation, and the American Jewish Committee have all voiced strong opposition to the EEOC's lawsuit.
This broad coalition suggests deep-seated concerns that the Trump administration's actions may contradict its stated commitment to Jewish safety and combating antisemitism. The administration claims to act in the name of protecting Jewish people, but the widespread alarm suggests these actions may actually undermine those very goals.
Expanding Government Power and Surveillance
The demand for Jewish lists at Penn appears to be part of a broader pattern of government overreach. The Trump administration has previously used allegations of antisemitism, along with criticism of ideas around race and gender, to justify attacks on academic institutions. This has included suspending federal funding for vital scientific research and attempting to enforce ideological conformity on university campuses.
This specific demand represents an extension of tactics already employed against other groups, including:
- Violently detaining and seeking to deport international students expressing disfavoured views
- Demanding patient lists from medical centres
- Collecting information about Jewish employees at other educational institutions like Barnard College
Far-Reaching Implications Beyond Universities
The implications extend far beyond higher education institutions. Unlike Title VI and Title IX provisions that apply specifically to educational settings, Title VII's prohibition of employment discrimination covers most public and private employers nationwide. If the EEOC succeeds in forcing Penn to disclose Jewish lists, it establishes a dangerous precedent that could allow government agencies to demand similar information from virtually any employer.
This could open the door to widespread surveillance, harassment, or punishment of employees based on their religious affiliation, political beliefs, or other personal characteristics. The Trump administration's demonstrated disregard for data privacy and its casual approach to data collection, storage, and sharing across government agencies significantly heightens these dangers.
A Threat to Fundamental Freedoms
Many Jewish people came to the United States specifically to escape governments that used lists to identify and persecute religious minorities and political dissidents. The current demand for Jewish lists at Penn represents not just a threat to the Jewish community, but to all Americans who value civil liberties.
If established, this precedent could allow future governments to demand lists of individuals associated with any religious, cultural, or identity-based organisations, or those studying ideas deemed "harmful" or "anti-American." This represents a fundamental threat to academic freedom, free speech, and the ability of institutions to serve as sites of civic resistance.
The resistance to this demand is therefore about more than protecting Jewish students and staff at one university. It represents a crucial stand against unfettered government power to stifle opposition, impose ideological uniformity, and undermine the foundations of civil society that protect all citizens regardless of race, religion, national origin, or political belief.
