A University of Florida Levin College of Law student who won top honors for a controversial paper is now banned from campus and faces possible expulsion after posting racist and antisemitic statements on social media.
Preston Damsky was awarded the “book award” for best paper in a capstone seminar co-taught by U.S. District Judge John Badalamenti. His paper, written using originalist methodology, argued that the phrase “We the People” in the Constitution referred exclusively to white individuals and called for revoking voting rights for other groups.
The award sparked internal debate at the law school. Interim Dean Merritt McAlister initially defended the grading, citing academic freedom and institutional neutrality. She emphasized that the professor evaluated the paper solely on technical execution and was unaware of Damsky’s personal beliefs.
The situation escalated after posts from Damsky’s account on X (formerly Twitter) surfaced, including statements calling for the abolition of Jewish people “by any means necessary.”
In April, the university issued a trespass order barring Damsky from campus for three years. He remains enrolled but is suspended from all in-person activities.
In a later statement, McAlister called Damsky’s views “revolting” and said they do not reflect the values of UF Law. However, she maintained that rescinding the academic award could set a dangerous precedent and chill academic expression.
Damsky is challenging the disciplinary action and claims he is being punished for holding “unpopular views.”
“You know,” he told The New York Times, “I’m not, like, a psychopathic ax murderer.”
