UC Davis Professor Suspended Over Controversial Posts
A professor at UC Davis has been suspended without pay for a semester in response to incendiary social media comments she made. Gemma DeCristo, who teaches in the American Studies Program, reportedly stated that “Zionist journalists” and their children should fear for their safety, sparking considerable backlash.
The remarks came after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. An internal investigation was carried out, producing a report that was released just last week due to a public records request. According to the findings, DeCristo claimed her posts were satirical in nature and not intended as direct threats.
On October 10, DeCristo shared on X that Zionist journalists were easy targets in the U.S. due to their identifiable locations and that they should be more afraid of her group. Accompanying her post were emojis depicting weapons and blood, which many interpreted as alarming.
The post gained wider attention and criticism from conservative figures like Charlie Kirk, who denounced it as a terrorist threat.
The follow-up investigation, led by a law school dean and an external law firm, underscored the chaos her words caused, leading to a flood of emails demanding her firing, safety concerns among students and staff, and threats from donors regarding financial contributions.
While DeCristo asserted her comments were a critique of current events, the university report indicated that, regardless of intention, the language was damaging to the Jewish community, created anxiety, and disrupted university operations. The report recommended disciplinary action, and although the faculty committee suggested a stronger response, President Gary S. May opted for a suspension.
UC Davis confirmed that DeCristo is suspended for the fall semester without pay, from October 1 to December 31, 2025, but will continue to be employed by the university.
May expressed disapproval in his censure of DeCristo, indicating that both the investigative process and the faculty’s responses fell short in recognizing the distress her actions had caused. He emphasized the need for accountability in maintaining a conducive learning environment.
As of now, DeCristo has not made any public comments regarding the situation.
