Justice Department Sues Harvard Over Antisemitism Claims

Fri Mar 20 2026 18:37:21 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A new lawsuit filed by the Justice Department accuses Harvard of not doing enough to combat antisemitism on campus, potentially endangering billions in federal funding.

The U.S. Justice Department has initiated a lawsuit against Harvard University, claiming that the institution has failed to combat antisemitism within its community. This legal action could freeze existing federal grants and demand repayment for funds already distributed. The case adds tension to an ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and the prestigious university over federal funding and civil rights compliance. Harvard argues that its academic independence is being unfairly challenged.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department filed a new lawsuit Friday against Harvard University, claiming its leadership has not adequately addressed antisemitism on campus. This lawsuit could result in the government freezing current grants and demanding repayment for grants already awarded.

The lawsuit, submitted in federal court in Massachusetts, is part of an ongoing conflict between the Trump administration and the elite university. The Justice Department emphasized, “The United States cannot and will not tolerate these failures.”

While negotiations between Harvard and the administration have reportedly stalled, concerns about campus antisemitism have escalated into broader issues regarding governmental control over academic institutions. Trump’s administration previously cut more than $2.6 billion in research funding from universities perceived as having left-leaning ideologies.

Harvard has countered with its own lawsuits, claiming it is being punished for refusing to conform to the administration’s viewpoints. A federal judge previously sided with the university, blocking the funding cuts and dismissing the antisemitism charges as a “smokescreen.”

Discussions of a potential settlement surfaced last year, with Harvard facing demands of up to $1 billion to restore federal funding and resolve the ongoing investigations.

This lawsuit reflects a broader trend of targeting elite universities for alleged biases, amid claims of antisemitism, further complicating relations as the administration seeks to assert control over academic institutions.