A Harvard Law Review editor who exposed alleged discrimination against white men at the prestigious publication has landed a coveted position working under White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller. David Wasserman's journey from campus whistleblower to federal employee has sparked intense scrutiny over his role in a Justice Department investigation targeting Harvard's practices.
According to the Washington Examiner, the Department of Justice revealed Wasserman served as a "cooperating witness" in their ongoing investigation into claims of discrimination at the student-run law journal. Justice officials have accused the Harvard Law Review of destroying evidence during their probe into allegations of bias against white male applicants and staff members.
Wasserman received his White House job offer on April 25, the same day discrimination allegations against the law journal surfaced in a Washington Free Beacon report. He began working under Miller on May 22 and graduated from Harvard on Wednesday, completing a rapid transition from student editor to federal employee amid the controversy surrounding his former publication.
Justice Department officials launched an aggressive campaign to protect their cooperating witness from retaliation by Harvard Law Review editors. During their search for the source of leaked information, journal leadership accused Wasserman of downloading tens of thousands of documents and issued him a formal reprimand for his alleged actions.
Federal prosecutors demanded immediate retraction of all disciplinary measures taken against Wasserman before his scheduled graduation ceremony. DOJ letters sent on May 13, 21, and 23 explicitly ordered the law review to permanently expunge any record of discipline against their cooperating witness.
Officials also commanded the publication to "retract any instructions to Mr. Wasserman or others to delete responsive documents." Justice Department correspondence emphasized that all punitive actions against Wasserman must be reversed prior to his May 29 graduation date, demonstrating federal determination to shield their informant from academic consequences.
Trump administration officials strongly defended Wasserman's recruitment while praising his courage in exposing alleged discrimination at Harvard. Senior administration sources told the New York Times that Wasserman was considered for employment well before the Justice Department investigation began, dismissing any suggestion of improper coordination between the hiring and the federal probe.
White House spokesman Harrison Fields characterized Wasserman as an exemplary figure who courageously challenged illegal discrimination practices. Fields emphasized that Harvard's alleged violations of federal law warranted investigation and commended the student's willingness to expose wrongdoing despite potential personal consequences.
Administration officials positioned the hiring as a recognition of Wasserman's integrity rather than compensation for his cooperation with federal authorities. The White House presented his employment as evidence that brave individuals who challenge institutional bias will find support in the Trump administration's commitment to fighting discrimination against all Americans.
Harvard Law Review now confronts mounting pressure from federal investigators demanding compliance with document preservation requirements. The Justice Department's accusations of evidence destruction have escalated tensions between the prestigious publication and federal authorities pursuing discrimination claims.
University officials must navigate the complex challenge of responding to federal demands while maintaining the law review's editorial independence and academic freedom. The investigation places Harvard in the uncomfortable position of defending its student publication against serious federal allegations while managing potential legal and financial consequences.
Legal experts suggest the case could set important precedents for how federal civil rights enforcement applies to student-run publications at major universities. The outcome may influence future investigations into alleged discrimination at elite academic institutions and establish new standards for cooperation between universities and federal civil rights investigators.
David Wasserman has transitioned from Harvard Law Review editor to White House policy advisor working under Stephen Miller, one of President Trump's most trusted immigration and policy strategists. His appointment represents a significant career advancement for the recent graduate who exposed alleged discrimination at one of America's most prestigious legal publications.
The Justice Department's investigation into Harvard Law Review continues as Wasserman begins his federal service, with prosecutors maintaining their demand for full cooperation from the student publication. Federal officials have made clear their determination to pursue civil rights violations regardless of the institutional prestige of the accused organization.
Wasserman's case demonstrates the Trump administration's commitment to protecting individuals who report discrimination against white Americans, signaling a broader shift in federal civil rights enforcement priorities. His successful transition from campus whistleblower to White House employee may encourage others to report similar allegations at elite academic institutions across the country.
