BOSTON — A recent court proceeding highlighted the actions of a Department of Justice lawyer, drawing attention to a contentious episode from his time at Harvard University. Michael Velchik, currently involved in a case that accuses Harvard of tolerating antisemitic behavior on its campus, previously faced scrutiny for an essay he wrote as an undergraduate, in which he adopted the persona of Adolf Hitler.
During a Latin class assignment in his senior year, Velchik chose to explore Hitler’s viewpoint, a decision that resulted in his professor rejecting the submission and requiring him to select a different historical or literary figure for the assignment. Three classmates from that period conveyed concerns about the essay’s unsettling content, although the essay itself has not been publicly reviewed by news organizations.
Communication documents obtained from Velchik revealed that he expressed admiration for Hitler’s “Mein Kampf” while discussing it with a peer. In a June 2013 email, Velchik mentioned the book and said, “is it bad that my favorite class at Harvard was Nietzsche and my favorite book I’ve read this year is Mein Kampf?” He described the text as “fascinating” and noted Hitler’s skills as a speaker and writer, emphasizing the importance he placed on propaganda and timing in speeches.
Following his graduation from Harvard Law School, where he became involved with the conservative Federalist Society, Velchik’s legal career progressed through various influential roles. He served in the Oklahoma solicitor general’s office before entering the Trump administration in 2019 as deputy associate counsel. After departing the White House in early 2021, he joined Senator Josh Hawley’s office and, within the year, became a senior counsel at the Justice Department.
Brett Shumate, an assistant attorney general in the DOJ’s Civil Division, provided insight into Velchik’s current responsibilities, affirming the commitment of the division’s lawyers to uphold the President’s agenda and the rule of law. Shumate characterized Velchik as a professional who has managed significant cases with diligence.
As this legal battle unfolds, Velchik’s past actions at Harvard and his statements surrounding historical events continue to spark debate over the complexities of addressing antisemitism within academic institutions. The conflict about Harvard’s response to such issues emerges at a volatile time, raising questions about freedom of expression and the responsibilities of educational organizations.
Attempts to reach Velchik for comments were unsuccessful by the time of publication, leaving many questions about the implications of his past and current roles unanswered.
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