University of Florida instructed to readmit law student expelled for making anti-Jewish remarks

A federal judge has directed the University of Florida to temporarily readmit a law student who was expelled after posting and writing controversial statements about race and religion, including remarks targeting Jewish people. The decision concerns Preston Damsky, a student at UFs Levin College of Law, who was suspended in April following posts on X in which he argued that Jews should be eliminated, referencing comments by former Harvard professor Noel Ignatiev.

Damsky also engaged in an online exchange with a Jewish professor at the university, questioning whether Ignatievs rhetoric implied violence and comparing the severity of hypothetical acts of genocide. After reviewing his social media activity and statements made in two seminar papers, the university charged him with violating the student code of conduct and expelled him in late May. He filed a lawsuit on September 14, asserting that his removal violated his First Amendment rights.

On Monday, U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor issued a preliminary injunction in Damskys favor, ordering that he be returned to normal academic standing and readmitted by December 1. Winsor determined that the university had not demonstrated that Damskys speech constituted a true threat or otherwise unprotected expression. Citing the Supreme Courts 2003 ruling in Virginia v. Black, he emphasized that even offensive or disturbing speech cannot be broadly prohibited solely because it causes discomfort. The judge added that while the university may maintain order, it cannot do so by infringing on constitutional protections.

According to the court order, the university informed Damsky that his actions had caused significant disruption to the law schools operations. Officials increased security and restricted his campus access after reports from students expressing safety concerns. Winsors ruling also noted that Damsky has been viewed as a provocative presence at the university since his enrollment, referencing seminar papers in which he argued that the United States was fundamentally race based and should prioritize the interests of White Americans. Damsky defended all of his statements as political expression.

His attorney, Anthony Sabatini, praised the ruling, stating on X that the university had acted unlawfully by punishing Damsky for his political views and that the judge affirmed the constitutional violation. The University of Florida told Fox News Digital that it does not comment on ongoing litigation. The school may appeal the injunction, and a trial is scheduled for May, according to Reuters.

Original article source: University of Florida ordered to reinstate law student who was expelled after anti Jewish comments