A Georgetown professor is under investigation after publicly expressing hope that Iran would retaliate against the United States by launching a “symbolic strike” on a U.S. military base. Dr. Jonathan Brown, who held the Alwaleed bin Talal Chair of Islamic Civilization at Georgetown’s School of Foreign Service, posted the incendiary statement shortly after U.S. forces struck Iranian nuclear enrichment sites.
“I hope Iran does some symbolic strike on a base, then everyone stops,” Brown wrote on X. He also used vulgar language to describe pro-Israel commentators and praised the damage done by Iranian missiles, saying, “I’ve been shocked at the damage Iranian missiles caused.”
Following immediate backlash, including condemnation from Jewish leaders, Georgetown University removed Brown as department chair and placed him on leave. Interim President Robert M. Groves told the House Education and Workforce Committee that Georgetown acted swiftly: “Within minutes of our learning of that tweet, the Dean contacted Professor Brown… Professor Brown is no longer chair of his department, he’s on leave, and we’re beginning the process of reviewing the case.”
The tweet came amid escalating concerns about antisemitism on college campuses after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Dr. Sara Yael Hirschhorn of the Jewish People Policy Institute said, “I’m appalled to see him calling for Iran to attack U.S. troops and his awe at attacks on Israeli civilians.”
Brown later told Fox News Digital he had been calling for “de-escalation” and claimed his comments were misunderstood.
