Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Mar 20: The US administration led by Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing the institution of “antisemitic discrimination” and failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students on campus.
According to a complaint filed in federal court, the government alleged that Harvard showed “deliberate indifference” to a hostile environment and selectively failed to enforce disciplinary rules when the victims were Jewish or Israeli students. It has also sought to recover billions of dollars in taxpayer-funded support, as reported by Reuters.
The complaint stated that the university’s conduct went beyond negligence, claiming it sent a message that Jewish and Israeli students were being “intentionally excluded” and denied equal access to educational opportunities.
Harvard did not immediately respond to the lawsuit.
The case marks a significant escalation in an ongoing dispute between US authorities and top universities over allegations of campus antisemitism. It follows earlier remarks by Trump that his administration had sought USD 1 billion from Harvard to resolve multiple probes, revising an earlier reported demand of USD 200 million.
The legal action also comes after a February 13 lawsuit accusing the university of non-cooperation in a federal investigation, including alleged irregularities in admissions practices.
The current case builds on findings that Harvard violated provisions under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, particularly Title VI, which prohibits discrimination in institutions receiving federal funding.
Investigators had earlier concluded that the university failed to adequately address complaints of antisemitic harassment, especially in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Gaza conflict.
The controversy is part of a broader wave of scrutiny across US campuses, where pro-Palestinian protests and counter-mobilisations have heightened tensions. Multiple lawsuits and federal probes have alleged that Jewish students faced hostility and exclusion, while critics warn that government actions could impact free speech.
Harvard has consistently denied wrongdoing, stating that it has taken steps to combat antisemitism through policy reforms, disciplinary measures, and campus-wide initiatives. The university has also challenged federal actions, including funding cuts, arguing they infringe on academic independence.
Similar scrutiny has extended to other institutions such as University of California, Los Angeles and Columbia University, amid a broader crackdown on campus environments deemed hostile to Jewish students.
The issue has become increasingly politicised in the US, with universities balancing student safety concerns against the need to protect freedom of expression during protests linked to the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The outcome of the lawsuit is expected to have far-reaching implications for higher education funding, civil rights enforcement, and campus speech policies across the country.