Rudy Giuliani Faces Honorary Degree Removal, Accused of 'Fomenting' Capitol Violence

Authored by newsweek.com and submitted by Innocul8
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Rudy Giuliani faces having an honorary degree bestowed to him in 2005 revoked by Middlebury College in the wake of the recent violence at the U.S. Capitol.

President Donald Trump's personal attorney and former Mayor of New York City has been accused of in part "fomenting the violent uprising" on January 6 by Middlebury's president, Laurie L. Patton.

In a statement, Patton referred to a letter she sent to members of the Middlebury community outlining "responsibility for safeguarding and improving our fragile democracy, especially those of us privileged to be in higher education."

"I asked us to renew this work with mutual respect and the building of trust across difference, which are core values of this institution," Patton said.

"As we pursue these goals, we must not be indifferent to the actions of those who are actively working against them, and opposed to our institutional values."

Following this, Patton went on to address Giuliani and said: "In light of the role that presidential attorney Rudolph Giuliani played in fomenting the violent uprising against our nation's Capitol building on January 6, 2021—an insurrection against democracy itself—Middlebury's leadership has initiated the process we have put in place to consider revoking an honorary degree.

"This institution awarded a degree to Mr. Giuliani in 2005. We will have more to communicate to you about this in the days ahead."

A release from Middlebury in 2005 outlined Giuliani would receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. It cited some of his achievements as New York City mayor when detailing this point.

Giuliani has faced criticism for a speech he gave at a rally supporting Trump's baseless election fraud claims ahead of the Capitol being stormed.

Read more Pelosi Gets Emotional Talking About Staffers Hiding from Capitol Rioters

"Over the next 10 days, we get to see the machines that are crooked, the ballots that are fraudulent. If we're wrong we will be made fools of, but if we're right a lot of them will go to jail. Let's have trial by combat," he said.

There have been calls for him to be disqualified by the New York State Bar association, following his comments.

Giuliani has called the chaos that unfolded at the Capitol "shameful."

"The violence at the Capitol was shameful. It was as criminal as the rioting and looting this summer which was not condemned strongly enough by the Left. This violence is condemned in the strongest terms. Our movement values respect for law and order and for the Police," he said in a tweet.

Five people died amid the chaos on January 6.

Newsweek has contacted Middlebury College and sought comment from Giuliani through his website and via the Trump campaign.

MysteriousLie7 on January 11st, 2021 at 12:21 UTC »

Oh no! Not his HONORARY DEGREES!

When he was committing sedition, I’m sure his first fear was “I hope they won’t take my honorary degrees away from me!”

HbRipper on January 11st, 2021 at 12:18 UTC »

Wait, don’t you mean “criminal charges” not “honorary degree removal?”

doowgad1 on January 11st, 2021 at 12:16 UTC »

As a New York City resident who had to put up with this self promoting clown for far too long, it does my heart good to see him destroyed by his own vileness.