Trump administration refers Harvard to Justice Department over antisemitism claims

Published 31/07/2025, 20:38
Trump administration refers Harvard to Justice Department over antisemitism claims

Investing.com -- The Trump administration has referred Harvard University to the U.S. Justice Department regarding allegations of "antisemitic discrimination," according to a letter sent to the university.

The letter, dated Wednesday, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to Harvard’s leadership, stated that "The parties’ several months’ engagement has been fruitless," adding that the Office for Civil Rights "therefore has no choice but to refer the matter to DOJ to initiate appropriate proceedings to address Harvard’s antisemitic discrimination."

In late June, the Trump administration announced that an investigation had concluded Harvard violated federal civil rights law by failing to address harassment of Jewish and Israeli students.

Harvard has been engaged in discussions and legal battles with the Trump administration over billions of dollars in frozen federal funds for medical research and other programs. The university sued the Trump administration earlier this year seeking restoration of these funds.

President Donald Trump has threatened to cut federal funding for universities over pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s war in Gaza. The government claims universities permitted antisemitism during last year’s pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

Critics, rights experts, and some faculty members have argued that such investigations serve as a pretext to assert federal control over educational institutions and threaten academic freedom and free speech.

Campus protesters, including some Jewish groups, maintain that the Trump administration incorrectly equates criticism of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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