Lawrence Summers, former president of Harvard University and U.S. treasury secretary, is stepping back from public duties following revelations of his continued communication with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Summers expressed deep shame and took full responsibility for his decision to remain in contact with Epstein, stating he is withdrawing from public commitments as part of an effort to mend personal bonds. Summers will continue to teach his five courses at Harvard, including undergraduate classes, and will remain director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at Harvard's Kennedy School.
His decision comes amid criticism from figures like Senator Elizabeth Warren, who questioned Summers' judgment and trustworthiness due to his association with Epstein, particularly after Epstein's known sex offenses involving underage girls. The House Oversight Committee released documents on November 12th that indicated ongoing correspondence between Summers and Epstein, even after Epstein's 2019 arrest and subsequent death in jail.
Many prominent individuals from business, celebrity, and academic circles faced scrutiny for maintaining ties with Epstein despite his prior conviction for state child prostitution charges.
