Congressional Report Accuses APA of Systemic Antisemitism and Ideological Capture

Key points

• The House Education and Workforce Committee report, led by Chairman Tim Walberg, claims APA leaders 'repeatedly failed to confront antisemitism' and allowed 'radical activist-academics' to co-opt the organization.
• The report includes 20 internal communications showing leaders dismissing concerns, such as a 'sigh' response from former diversity officer Maysa Akbar and a description of Rep. Ritchie Torres' letter as 'very thin factually.'
• APA leadership allowed the American Arab, Middle Eastern and North African Psychological Association (AMENA-Psy) to act as an 'antisemitism stakeholder,' leading to the removal of the word 'terrorism' from statements regarding the October 7 attacks.
• APA refused to sign the Anti-Defamation League’s Workplace Pledge to Fight Antisemitism after October 7, 2023, citing internal concerns about the ADL’s criticism of APA official Lara Sheehi.
• A federal advisory board to the Department of Education recommended suspending APA’s accreditation authority in September 2026 due to a 'pervasive culture of antisemitism,' with a final decision pending.
• Jewish psychologists, including Harvard lecturer Miri Bar-Halpern, stated the report validates their experiences but they fear professional retaliation and call for leadership apologies and transparency.

Background

This report follows a September 2026 recommendation by a federal advisory board to the Department of Education to suspend APA’s accreditation authority. The APA, which represents over 170,000 members, is responsible for setting professional standards for psychologists. Previous coverage in October 2026 highlighted broader tensions regarding antisemitism in public discourse, including accusations against New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the United Nations. The APA’s internal issues have been a point of contention for Jewish organizations for years, with complaints about unaddressed discrimination and ideological bias in professional standards.

How outlets are covering it

Jewish Insider and JNS.org emphasize the emotional toll on Jewish psychologists, describing the report as 'heartbreaking' and validating years of ignored complaints. They highlight specific internal communications that show disdain for Jewish members. The College Fix and a Wall Street Journal column by Colin Wright and Andrew Hartz frame the issue as part of a broader 'ideological capture' of the APA, arguing that the organization’s focus on leftist activism, such as 'family abolition' and 'queer anarchist psychoanalysis,' compromises its scientific mission. Inside Higher Ed reports the factual findings of the committee without extensive editorializing. The APA did not respond to requests for comment from any of the outlets.

Why it matters

The APA’s accreditation authority impacts the standards for psychology programs across the United States. If the Department of Education suspends this authority, it could affect the credibility of psychology degrees and the professional standards for over 170,000 members. The report also highlights a potential crisis of trust within the profession, as Jewish psychologists fear retaliation for speaking out. The outcome may influence how professional organizations handle internal discrimination complaints and ideological diversity in the future.

What to watch

The Department of Education is expected to make a final decision on APA’s accreditation status in the coming months. APA leadership is expected to respond to the report’s findings, potentially facing calls for apologies and structural changes. Jewish psychologists may continue to advocate for transparency and consequences for those responsible for the alleged failures. The APA’s response will be closely watched by the psychology community and policymakers.