The White House declined to comment on University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill's decision to step down following a contentious House hearing on antisemitism last week. However, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates commended Magill for retracting her remarks regarding pro-Palestinian protests on campus, stating that it was "the right thing to do."

Magill's resignation came in the wake of a House Education committee hearing, where she, along with Harvard President Claudine Gay and Massachusetts Institute of Technology President Sally Kornbluth, faced backlash for their responses to questioning from Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.). In a viral clip, Stefanik asked Magill if calling for the genocide of Jews violated Penn's rules or code of conduct, to which Magill responded that it could be considered harassment if speech turned into conduct.

Stefanik criticized Magill's response, calling it "unacceptable" and clarified if conduct meant committing an act of genocide. The other university presidents expressed similar sentiments, stating their disagreement with the rhetoric used but emphasizing their commitment to upholding free speech on campus.

Since the hearing, Harvard President Claudine Gay issued a statement walking back her testimony and later apologized for her remarks, acknowledging the distress and pain caused by her words. Gay expressed regret during an interview with The Harvard Crimson, acknowledging the impact of language in amplifying suffering.

The controversy surrounding the hearing and the presidents' responses have led to calls for their resignations, particularly from lawmakers and donors. Magill's decision to step down is seen as a response to the growing pressure and criticism.

The White House maintained that the focus should be on achieving moral clarity during moments like these. Spokesperson Andrew Bates expressed support for Magill's withdrawal of her previous statements, noting that others have done the same.

As President Joe Biden headed to Pennsylvania for an unrelated event, the controversy surrounding the hearing and its aftermath continues to spark discussions on the importance of upholding free speech while addressing the concerns of marginalized communities.