Former Harvard University President Lawrence Summers has abruptly decided to leave his teaching position at the prestigious Ivy League institution amid growing scrutiny over his connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Sudden Departure from Harvard
The unexpected announcement came on Wednesday as Harvard continues its internal investigation into Summers' relationship with Epstein. The former university president will not complete his ongoing courses this semester and has no teaching assignments scheduled for the next academic term.
A spokesperson for Summers confirmed the development, stating: "Mr. Summers has decided it's in the best interest of the Center for him to go on leave from his role as Director as Harvard undertakes its review. His co-teachers will complete the remaining three class sessions of the courses he has been teaching with them this semester."
Epstein Connection Deepens
The decision follows the recent publication of email exchanges between Summers and Epstein by the House Oversight Committee. These communications revealed that Summers confided in Epstein over several months, discussing personal matters that extended beyond academic or university business.
Summers, who also served as U.S. Treasury Secretary under former President Bill Clinton, had earlier announced he would be "stepping back" from his public commitments. He has additionally stepped down from his directorship at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government.
Harvard University has committed to a comprehensive review, stating: "The University is conducting a review of information concerning individuals at Harvard included in the newly released Jeffrey Epstein documents to evaluate what actions may be warranted."
Federal Investigation Expands
These developments coincide with significant federal action regarding the Epstein case. Former President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night that he signed the bill to release the Epstein files, following months of pressure to pass the legislation.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote: "Jeffrey Epstein, who was charged by the Trump Justice Department in 2019 (Not the Democrats!), was a lifelong Democrat, donated Thousands of Dollars to Democrat Politicians, and was deeply associated with many well-known Democrat figures, such as Bill Clinton... Larry Summers (who just resigned from many Boards, including Harvard)... and many more."
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California, who co-sponsored the Epstein bill, celebrated the development on social media platform X: "Against all odds, the survivors succeeded. Now that it will be the law of the land, anyone at the DOJ who does not comply is risking future prosecution and contempt of Congress."
The impending release of Epstein-related documents raises crucial questions about institutional accountability and transparency within academic institutions and beyond, as more influential figures face scrutiny over their associations with the convicted sex offender.
