Harvard Faces DOJ Referral Over Antisemitism Allegations

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has referred Harvard University to the Department of Justice (DOJ), alleging that the institution has failed to address antisemitism effectively. This decision follows a warning issued by HHS’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) on June 30, which stated that Harvard violated the Civil Rights Act due to its “deliberate indifference” toward antisemitic harassment among students. According to a memo obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation, HHS has determined that Harvard’s compliance cannot be achieved voluntarily, necessitating intervention from the DOJ.

The memo criticizes Harvard for its ongoing litigation against the former Trump administration, stating, “rather than voluntarily comply with its obligations under Title VI, Harvard has chosen scorched-earth litigation against the Federal government.” HHS noted that the engagement between the two parties over several months has proven unproductive. Harvard has yet to respond to requests for comment regarding this situation.

Legal battles between Harvard and the Trump administration began in March 2020 after the administration announced it would review more than $8 billion in federal grants to the university. This action was prompted by claims that Harvard was not in compliance with civil rights laws and was not adequately protecting Jewish students from discrimination. The Department of Education (ED) subsequently proposed a resolution requiring Harvard to implement a range of reforms related to its disciplinary processes and the screening of foreign students.

Initially, Harvard expressed its intention not to “surrender” to the administration’s demands. However, the university later sought to negotiate while maintaining its stance on preserving autonomy from the federal government. Recently, Harvard announced its commitment to provide documentation to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to verify the citizenship and work eligibility of nearly all its employees.

Despite these efforts, Harvard’s hesitance has reportedly resulted in a loss of over $2 billion in federal funding. The Trump administration has also threatened Harvard’s accreditation and its capacity to host foreign students, escalating tensions between the two entities.

As negotiations continue, insider reports suggest that Harvard may be considering a settlement, potentially amounting to as much as $500 million, to resolve its disputes with the administration. This development could signal a shift in the university’s approach to compliance and its relationship with federal authorities.

The ongoing situation highlights the complexities of the intersection between higher education, civil rights, and federal oversight, raising significant questions about institutional responsibility in combating discrimination.