RADICAL TIMES AT SLEEPY COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND

LEFTIST GENERAL COUNSEL KENDALL ISAAC REFUSED TO RELEASE VIDEO OF HIS MAGA-HATING RANT AT CONVOCATION, AND NOW HE HAS VANISHED

LEFTIST GENERAL COUNSEL DR. KENDALL DUANE ISAAC REFUSED TO RELEASE THE VIDEO OF HIS
MAGA-HATING RANT AT CONVOCATION,
AND NOW HE HAS VANISHED

BY JOHN E. O’CONNOR
THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY

The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) is under scrutiny after its August 15, 2025, convocation, where General Counsel Kendall Duane Isaac delivered remarks described by attendees as partisan and divisive. The fallout has raised questions about transparency, professional conduct, and oversight at the publicly funded institution.

For years, CSM convocations were fully recorded and posted online. Staff members confirmed that audiovisual crews set up equipment for this year’s entire event. However, while the morning session, including President Yolanda Wilson’s welcome, a keynote on artificial intelligence, and a panel discussion, was recorded and later made available, the afternoon session has not been published.

Several staff members stated that Isaac utilized his platform at the Convocation to provide legal commentary, cite case law, and make pointed remarks about U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and President Donald Trump. At the time of the speech, Isaac was not yet licensed to practice law in Maryland. Records show he was admitted to the Maryland Bar on August 18, three days after the convocation.

That same morning, a Maryland Public Information Act (MPIA) request was filed seeking all convocation materials. In a separate email dated August 17th at 2:19 a.m., Isaac wrote, “Please be advised that there is no video recording of the event. Therefore, there is nothing to disclose in this regard.” On August 29, 2025, however, the college acknowledged that the morning was recorded while maintaining that the afternoon was not. On September 4, CSM released the morning’s slides and video, but no additional footage was provided.

The conflicting statements have sparked speculation that the second half of the convocation was intentionally kept from the public. Several employees have said that the audiovisual team was prepared for a full day, not just a half day, and they have questioned why the college has not released the rest of the event.

Following the controversy, Isaac issued an apology to his colleagues. “I want to sincerely apologize that my presentation at Convocation made valued members of our community feel excluded,” he wrote. He added that it was “incumbent upon employees, especially leaders, to be nonpartisan in their roles at CSM” and acknowledged making “editorial comments that did not reflect CSM’s nonpartisan position.”

President Yolanda Wilson also addressed the issue in a message to the CSM community. She stated that the general counsel’s remarks “fell short of the balance and neutrality expected at CSM” and reaffirmed the college’s dedication to keeping its community “respectful and inclusive.”

Despite the apologies, Isaac is no longer employed at the college. Officials did not specify the circumstances of his departure.

The controversy intensified on August 21 when attorney Joe Dugan from the Baltimore-based law firm Gallagher Evelius & Jones, who represents CSM, sent a letter to The Chesapeake Today. The letter demanded the removal of a cartoon critical of Isaac and threatened legal action. Although the paper did publish the cartoon, the letter incorrectly identified the person responsible for it.

The letter referenced defamation law, but legal experts argue it overstepped, raising First Amendment concerns. U.S. Supreme Court cases, including New York Times v. Sullivan and Hustler v. Falwell, establish strong protections for commentary and criticism of public officials.

The Run of Show for CSM Convocation

Cathy Allen, who serves on both the local school board and the CSM Board of Trustees, has not made a public statement about the convocation. Sonja M. Cox, president of the CSM Board of Trustees and president of SMECO, has also remained silent. Both Cox and Allen were contacted for comment, but did not respond by the time of publication.

Excerpt of letter to THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY from
CSM Vice President Karen Smith Hupp

The college has refused to comment further on the existence of any additional video beyond what has been released, even after being questioned further following a public information act request response.

It is evident that further legal steps might be required to resolve the dispute. Subpoenas, staff depositions, and sworn testimony from audiovisual personnel could be needed to determine whether the second part of the convocations was actually recorded and, if so, why it has not been made public.

The College of Southern Maryland educates over 22,000 students each year across campuses in La Plata, Leonardtown, Prince Frederick, and Hughesville. Like all community colleges in Maryland, the institution is publicly funded and accountable to both its Board of Trustees and the state.