Harvard Sued by Justice Department Over Alleged Antisemitism, Funding at Stake
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department filed a lawsuit Friday against Harvard University, alleging the institution failed to adequately address antisemitism on campus, potentially jeopardizing billions in federal funding. The legal action marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and the prestigious university.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, asserts that Harvard’s leadership has allowed a discriminatory environment to fester, violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Justice Department is seeking to compel Harvard’s compliance with federal civil rights law and recover taxpayer subsidies awarded to what it calls a “discriminatory institution.”
“The United States cannot and will not tolerate these failures and brings this action to compel Harvard to comply,” the Justice Department stated in the lawsuit.
The case stems from an investigation into campus antisemitism that quickly broadened into a wider dispute. The Trump administration has previously cut off more than $2.6 billion in research funding and attempted to restrict Harvard’s ability to host international students.
Harvard has countered with its own lawsuits, arguing it was unfairly penalized for refusing to align with the administration’s policies. In December, a federal judge sided with the university, reinstating the funding cuts and dismissing the antisemitism claims as a “smokescreen.”
Negotiations between the two sides have reportedly stalled despite periods of apparent progress. Last year, a potential deal was discussed that would have required Harvard to pay $500 million to restore federal funding access. That figure was later increased to $1 billion by President Trump, who accused Harvard of “behaving very badly.”
The lawsuit is the latest in a series of actions taken by the Trump administration targeting universities perceived as harboring left-wing ideology and antisemitism. Since taking office, the administration has frozen billions in research grants to elite institutions.
