DOJ to Sue Harvard Over Discrimination Claims
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced plans to file a federal civil rights lawsuit against Harvard University, claiming the institution did not adequately protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment and discrimination after the Hamas terrorist attack in Israel on October 7, 2023.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon explained that the lawsuit addresses serious racial and ethnic abuse directed at Jewish and Israeli students. She said, “Harvard allowed pro-Palestinian protesters to take over its campus, which included those who actively hindered Jewish and Israeli students from attending classes. While Harvard has rules surrounding student behavior, these appear to have been overlooked in the case of these specific protesters.”
According to Dhillon, “All universities receiving federal funding must adhere to federal laws, including Title VI.” She emphasized that the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division will not stand for discrimination or harassment against any group of students. “The evidence is indisputable,” she stated.
She added, “We eagerly anticipate moving forward with this case to ensure that all entities in the university system that benefit from federal funds comply with civil rights laws. So, keep an eye out for updates on this situation.”
Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-New York) has been involved in Congressional Oversight on Campus Anti-Semitism and voiced her support for the lawsuit. In her comments, she mentioned a book she published about what she calls “academic and moral corruption” at prestigious universities. She remarked, “This decision by the Trump administration to take legal action against Harvard for not safeguarding Jewish students is absolutely right. After years of oversight, I am proud to have led efforts to hold Harvard accountable.”
Earlier, Dhillon pointed out that the issue of campus anti-Semitism extends beyond Harvard. By 2025, she noted, “few American universities, particularly the elite ones, are meeting federal standards regarding nondiscrimination in admissions.” She also indicated a correlation between rising anti-Semitism on campuses and foreign funding, along with what she described as universities’ “callousness or reckless disregard” for these issues.
