Robert P. George, the McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton University and director of the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions, announced in a public Facebook post Monday that he has resigned from the board of trustees of the Heritage Foundation after six years. George’s resignation came amid a weeks-long controversy in the right-wing think tank after its president defended Tucker Carlson’s interview with far-right commentator Nick Fuentes.
George did not respond to requests for comment in time for publication.
“Although Kevin publicly apologized for some of what he said in the video, he could not offer a full retraction of its content. So, we reached an impasse,” George wrote in his announcement. His resignation is one of many at Heritage over the course of this month, which have included five members of the Foundation’s antisemitism task force; Roberts’ chief of staff; and Stephen Moore, who was a visiting fellow for the foundation for the last 12 years.
Fuentes — a prominent figure in the “America First” movement — is an openly antisemitic white supremacist who has previously expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler and denied the Holocaust.
In an Oct. 30 video, Kevin Roberts, Heritage’s president, said that Carlson “always will be a close friend of the Heritage Foundation.” Roberts added that while he “abhors” many of Fuentes’ statements, he believed that conservatives should not engage in “canceling” either Carlson or Fuentes.
“Kevin is a good man. He made what he acknowledged was a serious mistake,” George said. “What divided us was a difference of opinion about what was required to rectify the mistake.”
George did not initially say he intended to resign when he first addressed the controversy in a Nov. 1 post. on X, George reiterated his longstanding position that the conservative movement “simply cannot include or accommodate white supremacists or racists of any type.”
“I believe that the conservative movement, though it can and should be a broad tent, simply cannot include or accommodate white supremacists or racists of any type, antisemites, eugenicists, or others whose ideologies are incompatible with belief in the inherent and equal dignity of all,” George wrote. “Is this a call for “cancelation”? No. It’s a reminder that we conservatives stand for something—or should stand for something.”
Roberts met with Heritage staff on Nov. 5 after the backlash, clarifying that he does not endorse Fuentes’ views and apologizing for elements of the video.
“I made a mistake, and I let you down and I let down this institution, and I am sorry for that,” Roberts said. He described his language as poorly chosen, pointing to a point in the video where he called Carlson’s critics a “venomous coalition.”
“I didn’t know much about this Fuentes guy. I still don’t,” Roberts said at the meeting.
Roberts, however, did not take the video down or retract the statements made.
“I’m sad to be leaving the Heritage board. I have great affection and esteem for Barb Gaby, who chairs the board, and my other board colleagues. I wish them and the Heritage Foundation the very best,” George wrote in his announcement. “My hope for Heritage is that it will be unbending and unflinching in its fidelity to its founding vision, upholding the moral principles of the Judeo-Christian tradition and the civic principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States.”
George is one of Princeton’s most prominent professors and has taught at the University since 1985.
In addition to his scholarship in moral and political philosophy, he has served as chairman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, as a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics and the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and as the United States’ representative to UNESCO’s World Commission on the Ethics of Scientific Knowledge and Technology.
George did not indicate whether he plans to maintain any affiliation with Heritage following his departure.
“I pray that Heritage’s research and advocacy will be guided by the conviction that each and every member of the human family, irrespective of race, ethnicity, religion, or anything else, as a creature fashioned in the very image of God, is “created equal” and “endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights,”” he wrote. “The anchor for the Heritage Foundation, and for our Nation, and for every patriotic American is that creed. It must always be that creed.”
Hayk Yengibaryan is a head News editor, senior Sports writer, and education director for the ‘Prince.’ He is from Glendale, Calif. and typically covers breaking news and profiles. He can be reached at hy5161[at]princeton.edu.
Please send any corrections to corrections[at]dailyprincetonian.com.
Read More
USLC meeting discusses PEV policy, undergrads advocate for language on doxing
Kian PetlinAt the recent meeting of the University Student Life Committee, the Personal Electric Vehicle (PEV) policy was re-evaluated, alongside harassment policies and graduate student concerns.
University faculty and students, including members of the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) and the Graduate Student Government (GSG) gathered to re-evaluate the Personal Electric Vehicle (PEV) policy, alongside harassment policies and graduate student concerns.
Men’s soccer named No. 3 seed in NCAA Tournament, highest in Ivy history
Harrison BlankMen’s soccer will look to win the program’s first NCAA Tournament game since 1993 this Sunday.
Men’s soccer will look to win the program’s first NCAA Tournament game since 1993 this Sunday.
Princeton women’s volleyball crowned Ivy League champions
Siena SydenhamWomen’s volleyball, following a clean sweep over the weekend, secured their third Ivy League title in four years. They’ll host the Ivy League Tournament beginning on Friday.
Women’s volleyball, following a clean sweep over the weekend, secured their third Ivy League title in four years. They’ll host the Ivy League Tournament beginning on Friday.