Justice Dept. to Probe U.C. System for Antisemitism Claims

Justice Department Investigates University of California for Alleged Antisemitic Discrimination

In a significant move announced on Wednesday, the Trump administration declared its intention to utilize a federal law typically associated with probing discriminatory practices in police departments to investigate the University of California system. This inquiry aims to ascertain if there has been a pattern or practice of antisemitic discrimination within the university system. The Department of Justice’s announcement comes swiftly after other federal agencies initiated a review of Columbia University’s federal funding, questioning whether financial support should be withdrawn due to an alleged failure to adequately protect Jewish students and faculty from harassment and discrimination on campus.

President Trump has been vocally critical of the policies adopted by American colleges and universities regarding on-campus protests, particularly those contesting Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip. These protests, critics say, have often been accompanied by antisemitic rhetoric, leaving some Jewish faculty and staff feeling harassed. They claim that the protests have created an intimidating atmosphere, hindering their ability to move freely across campus and access classes.

Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the Justice Department’s commitment in a statement, saying, "This Department of Justice will always defend Jewish Americans, protect civil rights, and leverage our resources to eradicate institutional antisemitism in our nation’s universities." The University of California system responded with its own statement, reaffirming its dedication to combating antisemitism and ensuring the civil rights of all community members. The university pledged to continue fostering an environment devoid of harassment and discrimination.

The Justice Department’s pattern or practice investigations differ from criminal investigations; they focus on the conduct of institutions to evaluate if there is a systemic issue that fosters discrimination against specific groups. Traditionally, this law has been used primarily to interrogate local and state police conduct concerning their treatment of people of color.

Typically, settlements stemming from these investigations result in institutions agreeing to implement specific changes in training and policies aimed at rectifying identified issues. Historically, Republican administrations have been less aggressive in pursuing such inquiries compared to their Democratic counterparts, and the Trump administration had actually slowed down such investigations before this announcement. However, this effort to investigate a university rather than a police department illustrates the Trump administration’s broader agenda, echoing arguments that suggest Democrats have contributed to perceived racist treatment towards white individuals.

In the wake of these developments, the Department of Education has also taken steps to address concerns about antisemitism in higher education. Last month, the agency announced investigations into what it termed "widespread antisemitism" at five universities, including Columbia, Northwestern, Portland State, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota. During a recent confirmation hearing for Linda McMahon as the education secretary, Senator Bill Cassidy expressed the need to address what he described as a backlog of antisemitism cases awaiting resolution within the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.

The Justice Department’s investigation into the University of California aims to determine if the institution has violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, and religion. This law allows the Justice Department to launch probes of state and local employers if there is sufficient reason to believe that a “pattern or practice” of discrimination exists.

As part of its efforts to combat antisemitism, the Trump administration has formed a multi-agency task force aimed at addressing these pressing issues. Both the University of California investigation and the review of Columbia University’s federal contracts represent the administration’s first significant actions under this initiative. Last month, officials from the administration announced plans for members of the task force to engage with ten schools across the country to address concerns regarding the treatment of Jewish staff and students.

Moreover, a noteworthy development occurred when the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education identified approximately $51.4 million in contracts between Columbia University and the federal government, which may be at risk of termination due to what the Trump administration has labeled as the school’s "ongoing inaction in the face of relentless harassment of Jewish students."

Columbia University, in response to the recent announcements, stated that it is reviewing the situation and anticipates continued collaboration with the new federal administration in the efforts to combat antisemitism on its campus. It is noteworthy that over a quarter of Columbia’s annual operating revenue, which totals $6.6 billion, is derived from federal sources, predominantly through federal research grants.

As these investigations unfold, they highlight the intersection of higher education, civil rights, and the ongoing debate surrounding antisemitism in American society. The outcomes could have significant implications for the policies and practices adopted by universities nationwide concerning the treatment of Jewish students and faculty.