The Trump administration has submitted court documents supporting a Jewish professor who alleges she faced a hostile work environment at CUNY’s Hunter College, primarily due to protests deemed anti-Semitic against Israel.
CUNY Hunter has attempted to dismiss the civil rights lawsuit from Leah Garrett, who heads the Center for Jewish Studies, arguing that the protests fall under First Amendment rights. Yet, the U.S. Department of Justice, under Attorney General Pam Bondy, stepped in on Monday, emphasizing the need to address discrimination and the impact of hostile work conditions on educational staff and students.
The 26-page brief from the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division stated that CUNY Hunter’s inaction regarding the issues raised by Dr. Garrett contributes to an oppressive atmosphere, and merely invoking the First Amendment doesn’t shield them from liability under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
“The First Amendment does not exempt CUNY Hunter from addressing significant campus disruptions that could lead to a hostile work environment as outlined in Title VI,” the document asserted.
Garrett’s lawsuit, initiated last December, criticizes university officials for ignoring anti-Semitic demonstrations on campus following the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel. She contended that students displayed disturbing imagery and messages targeting Zionists.
She also mentioned the inability to remove offensive posters of Israeli hostages, citing bureaucratic and legal constraints in the lawsuit.
The Legal Project, a Jewish civil rights organization, is representing Garrett, and the private law firm Alston & Byrd has acknowledged the DOJ’s involvement as a significant step.
Brook Goldstein, founder of the LawFare project, remarked, “This marks a critical moment in the fight against institutional anti-Semitism. The DOJ’s stance clarifies that public universities cannot overlook harassment and intimidation faced by Jewish individuals.”
A spokesperson for Hunter College stated that the institution couldn’t comment on the ongoing lawsuit but emphasized a strict policy against anti-Semitism and a commitment to ensuring a safe community on campus.
This intervention by the DOJ reflects the Trump administration’s broader strategy to address anti-Israel sentiments at universities, which they argue often escalate into anti-Jewish hostility.
Hunter College isn’t the only CUNY campus involved in such tensions. Recently, tensions flared at Brooklyn University, where anti-Israel activists clashed with police during the setup of a protest tent, leading to widespread criticism from local officials.
On another front, the Trump administration’s task force against anti-Semitism announced it had withdrawn $450 million in additional grants to Harvard, responding to claims of repeated racism and anti-Semitism on campus. Earlier in March, federal funds amounting to $400 million were also revoked from Columbia University for similar reasons related to the safety of Jewish students.
Moreover, the administration has hinted at the possibility of cancelling visas and deporting international students who engage in destructive protests or illegal activities.
