The U.S. Department of Justice has filed another lawsuit against Harvard University, alleging discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students and seeking the return of federal grants received during the discriminatory period.
On October 20, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a federal court lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing the institution of discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students. The lawsuit demands the return of federal government grants that were received during the periods when it claims discrimination occurred. This lawsuit is the second filed by the Trump administration against Harvard this year, following a similar one in February, and indicates an increase in pressure from the administration amidst ongoing tensions between the two parties.
The Department of Justice claims that following attacks by the Islamic organization Hamas on Israel in 2023, there was an uptick in harassment against Jewish students on campus, and that Harvard neglected to take appropriate actions to address these incidents. The lawsuit argues that Harvard's actions violate civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination, and requests a judicial confirmation that the federal government is not obligated to pay any further grants to the university and that previously awarded grants should be returned.
Previously, the Trump administration had frozen grants to Harvard, which a federal court later deemed invalid. Additionally, in February, the administration filed a separate lawsuit claiming that Harvard had failed to provide necessary admissions-related information to the federal government. The ongoing legal battles highlight the contentious relationship between the Trump administration and higher education institutions regarding discrimination and transparency in admissions practices.
