Trump Administration Launches Probes into Harvard University Over Antisemitism and Admissions Practices

The Trump administration has launched two probes into Harvard University under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. One investigation examines the university's handling of antisemitism on campus. The other addresses allegations of illegal race-based preferences in admissions, following the Supreme Court's ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.

The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) opened a review in May 2025 to assess whether Harvard continued using racial preferences in undergraduate admissions. Harvard received a Letter of Impending Enforcement Action for not providing the requested information. The university has 20 calendar days to comply.

Failure to comply could lead to enforcement actions, including referral to the Department of Justice, according to the Department of Education.

“Harvard University should know better. Its name will always be tied to the landmark Supreme Court case that found sweeping racial discrimination in admissions and the campus has been in the spotlight for tolerating egregious antisemitic harassment for years now.”

Alexander Kestenbaum, a Harvard alumnus known as 'Shabbos,' commented on the probes. Kestenbaum stated that the actions represent "promises made, promises kept." He told Fox News Digital that Harvard's refusal to cooperate contrasts with its responses to other issues.

Kestenbaum and other students sued Harvard in Kestenbaum v. Harvard over the university's alleged inaction on antisemitism. The case resulted in a confidential settlement in May 2025. Kestenbaum noted that the Department of Justice has cited the lawsuit in related matters.

He expressed pride in contributing to discussions with the Department of Justice, Department of Education, and White House officials regarding treatment of students at institutions including Harvard and Columbia.

Protests against Israel began on U.S. university campuses, including Harvard, following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the ensuing war. Harvard's then-President Claudine Gay testified before a congressional committee in December 2023 on rising antisemitism.

During the hearing, Rep. Elise Stefanik asked Gay if calling for the genocide of Jews violated Harvard's rules on bullying and harassment. Gay responded that "it can be, depending upon the context."

Gay apologized in an interview with The Harvard Crimson, stating that "when words amplify distress and pain, I don’t know how you could feel anything but regret." She resigned in January 2024 amid the hearing and plagiarism allegations.

The probes occur amid ongoing scrutiny of university policies on discrimination and civil rights. Affected parties include students facing alleged harassment and those impacted by admissions practices. Next steps depend on Harvard's compliance, potentially leading to further legal or administrative actions.