Stanford University has issued an apology to Judge Kyle Duncan, a Trump-appointed federal judge, after he was heckled during a speech on March 9. The video of the incident, which was exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital, shows the associate dean of diversity, equity and inclusion at the law school, Tirien Steinbach, appearing to smirk as she watched the protesters shout at Judge Duncan. The judge was invited to speak at Stanford by the Federalist Society, but was met with demonstrators holding signs and shouting at him.
Among the protesters' complaints was how Duncan refused to use a transgender sex offender's preferred pronouns in a 2020 opinion. The video shows Duncan asking one protester about the sign, while the other protesters burst into laughter. Steinbach then turns to look at the sign, appears to smirk, and covers her face with her hands.
Duncan was unable to hold his speech at Stanford. Instead, Steinbach took over and alleged that Duncan causes "harm" through his work as a federal judge. She also said she was "uncomfortable" by the anger over Duncan's presence on campus.
The outburst from protesters led to calls for the school to apologize to the judge, and Republican Texas Sen. Ted Cruz suggested the school reprimand students involved. Stanford Law School Dean Jenny Martinez and Stanford President Marc Tessier-Lavigne ultimately apologized to Duncan in a joint statement.
"We write to apologize for the disruption of your recent speech at Stanford Law School," the two said in a joint statement. "As has already been communicated to our community, what happened was inconsistent with our policies on free speech, and we are very sorry about the experience you had while visiting our campus."
The apology, however, drew more outrage from protesters, with hundreds of students gathering outside of Martinez's classroom while wearing all black and obscuring their faces with masks that said "counter-speech is free speech." The protesters formed a "human corridor" stretching from the classroom to the exit of the school.
One anonymous student described the protest as "eerie" to The Washington Free Beacon. Duncan has since said the school should discipline the protesters.
"If enough of these kids get into the legal profession," he told The Free Beacon, "the rule of law will descend into barbarism."
The incident has once again highlighted the ongoing debate around free speech on college campuses. While many students believe that certain speakers should not be allowed to speak on campus due to their controversial views, others argue that free speech is a fundamental right that must be protected.
In response to the incident, Stanford University has announced that it will be reviewing its policies on free speech to ensure that they are in line with its commitment to academic freedom and the free exchange of ideas.
"The incident involving Judge Duncan was unacceptable and does not reflect the values of our university," said Stanford Law School Dean Jenny Martinez. "We are committed to fostering an environment where all voices are heard and respected, and we will be reviewing our policies on free speech to ensure that they are consistent with this commitment."
The incident has raised questions about free speech and civility on college campuses. Some critics have accused the protesters of engaging in cancel culture and attempting to silence voices with which they disagree. Others have pointed to Judge Duncan's past rulings, particularly in cases related to LGBTQ+ rights, as evidence of his unsuitability to speak at a university.
However, the incident at Stanford has also sparked discussions about the responsibilities of universities and academic institutions to protect free speech while ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all students, faculty, and visitors. While some have criticized the university for not doing enough to protect Judge Duncan's right to speak, others have argued that the school has a duty to prioritize the safety and well-being of its community members, particularly those who may be marginalized or vulnerable.
As debates continue to unfold around the incident, it remains clear that tensions between different perspectives and values are running high on college campuses across the country. The incident at Stanford serves as a reminder of the challenges facing universities and academic institutions in navigating these complex and often contentious issues.
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