Lawrence Summers announces Harvard resignation

On February 25, 2026, Harvard University confirmed that Lawrence Summers will resign from his academic and faculty positions at the end of the 2025–2026 academic year amid scrutiny over his ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Summers has been on leave from his teaching role since late 2025 as the university reviews documents related to Epstein and his wider network.

A Harvard spokesperson said Summers’ resignation will take effect at the end of the current academic year and that he will remain on leave until then. He also stepped down from his role as co‑director of the Mossavar‑Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School.

Summers previously served as president of Harvard University and as U.S. Treasury Secretary. The decision follows the public release of documents by the U.S. House Oversight Committee showing extensive correspondence between Summers and Epstein. The materials include communications about personal and professional matters, although Summers has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing in connection with Epstein’s offenses.

Summers said in a statement that the decision was difficult and expressed appreciation for his decades of academic service. He indicated that after his resignation he plans to continue engaging in research and commentary on economic issues as a private individual.

Epstein was a financier convicted in 2008 of soliciting a minor for prostitution and later arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges; he died in custody while awaiting trial. Releases of files connected to Epstein have prompted reviews and resignations at multiple institutions.