Cruz closes in on Yale, demands key docs on alleged faith discrimination
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is investigating Yale Law school claiming that the institution has unconstitutionally discriminated against students espousing “traditional Christian views.”
On Monday, according to the Washington Examiner, Cruz, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Constitution Subcommittee, sent Yale Law School a demand letter, urging the college to release communication records related to the treatment of conservative and Christian students.This is not the first letter Yale has received from Cruz. In April, the dean of Yale Law, Heather Gerken, was sent a message from Cruz detailing his plans to investigate a recently approved school policy that he believes allows the school to “blacklist Christian organizations” and “punish” students based on their beliefs.
[RELATED: Ted Cruz issues Yale Law School quite the ultimatum]
“As one of the nation’s most respected law schools, Yale Law School has an obligation to protect intellectual diversity and to respect the constitutional rights of its students. However,” Cruz continued, “public news reports indicate that Yale Law School has recently adopted a transparently discriminatory policy: namely, that Yale will no longer provide any stipends or loan repayments for students serving in organizations professing traditional Christian views or adhering to traditional sexual ethics.”
Gerken’s formal response to Cruz’ accusation cited the school’s desire to protect students from discrimination on the “basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.” Rather, Gerken claims that the policy was designed to ensure that no Yale Law funding inadvertently, through stipends or loans, would go toward organizations that discriminate against minorities, namely, the LGBT community.
“Contrary to press reports, our policy does not single out any student based on religion. Nor does it single out any organization based on ideology, litigation strategy, or political goals,” Gerken wrote. “Instead, it is designed to protect all students — including the many Christians and other people of faith among our students and alumni.”
[RELATED: Sens. Ted Cruz, Josh Hawley team up in full court press on Yale Law School]
Yale’s general counsel, Alexander Dreier, has responded to Cruz’s demands and assured that all relevant documents have been preserved and the institution is willing to speak with Cruz further on the matter, as reported by the Washington Examiner.
Follow the author of this article on Twitter: @Grace_Gotcha
