[UPDATE] Professor Isaacson has been put on “administrative leave,” according to John Jay College of Criminal Justice President Karol V. Mason.
On August 23, Michael Isaacson, professor at CUNY’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice, tweeted the following:
He followed his initial tweet with this disturbing imagined scenario:
The tweets went relatively unnoticed until Isaacson appeared on Thursday’s episode of Tucker Carlson Tonight on Fox News. Following the interview, multiple police unions condemned Isaacson’s remarks:
New York Daily News quotes Roy Richter, president of the NYPD Captains Endowment Association: “This message is an abdication of the professor’s responsibility as a civilized human being and disgusting coming from a representative of the teaching profession.”
The outlet also quotes Michael Palladino of the Detectives’ Endowment Association: “I don’t know the professor but based on his tweet he strikes me as a man of ignorance and arrogance with hate in his heart. … I can’t see him being an asset to a school like John Jay.”
Isaacson issued a “clarification” tweet on Friday:
Speaking to NYDN on Friday, Isaacson defended his remarks: “Oh that sh*t? … Everybody dies.”
The co-founder of Antifa organization Smash Racism D.C. then attempted to shift the argument: “I was talking about police as an agent of control that is actually in less control of the public than it’s supposed to be. … I don’t have a problem with individual police officers — I mean, I teach them — but I don’t like policing as an institution. Police officers are agents of that institution.”
None of this makes his initial tweet any less disgusting, unnerving, or provocative.
That said, Isaacson’s vile remark isn’t a surprise as he has a history of hating on police:
The Daily Wire reached out to John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and was sent an official statement written by the college’s president, Karol V. Mason:
To the John Jay College Community:
Many of you may be aware of recent statements made by a John Jay College adjunct on social media, television and in the press.
I want to state clearly that I was shocked by these statements. They are abhorrent. This adjunct expressed personal views that are not consistent with our college’s well known and firm values and principles and my own personal standards and principles. I am appalled that anyone associated with John Jay, with our proud history of supporting law enforcement authorities, would suggest that violence against police is ever acceptable. I join with the many students, faculty, alumni and other members of our community in condemning these statements. The John Jay alumni who work in law enforcement, and the students who aspire to careers in law enforcement, represent our best. They secure the safety of our families and communities and deserve our respect.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice has a mission of educating fierce advocates for justice – including the next generation of police and law enforcement professionals. While John Jay strongly supports and affirms the right of free speech and independent views and expressions by our faculty, students and staff, the statements made by the adjunct are the antithesis of what John Jay College represents.
We recognize that the open exchange of diverse, even opposing ideas and perspectives gives strength to our institution and enriches the educational experience of our students. Indeed, to fulfill our mission, it is vital that we support our students, faculty and staff in engaging in robust, civil, and vigorous debate about the issues of the day. While respecting free speech and academic freedom are deeply held values, expressions of hate or intimidation are not welcome in that civil discourse, nor is anything that can be perceived as an incitement to violence.
The safety of our students, faculty and staff is our top priority. Today, members of the John Jay faculty received threats, and our students expressed concerns for their safety in the classroom. Out of concern for the safety of our students, faculty and staff, we are immediately placing the adjunct on administrative leave as we continue to review this matter.
Karol V. Mason
As of this publication, Isaacson himself hasn’t responded to our requests for comment, though we now know he has been placed on “administrative leave” thanks to Mason’s official statement.