(The Center Square) – Harvard University found itself at the center of a federal discrimination lawsuit on Friday after the Trump administration said it failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment on campus.
Filed in federal District Court in Massachusetts, the lawsuit says university administration sat idle while “antisemitic mobs” assaulted, stalked and intimidated students following Hamas’ attack on Israeli citizens on Oct. 7, 2023.
“Since October 7th, 2023, too many of our educational institutions have allowed antisemitism to flourish on campus – Harvard included,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi. “Today’s litigation underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to demanding better from our nation’s schools and putting an end to discriminatory behavior that harms students.”
The administration wants to recover billions of dollars in support it sent to the university despite its purported violation of anti-discrimination laws. Another $2.6 billion in grants from the Department of Health and Human Services is slated to funnel to the university this year.
“Every student deserves to learn without fear of harassment or exclusion,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. “When institutions take taxpayer dollars, they accept a duty to protect civil rights. We hold Harvard accountable on the principle that antisemitism has no place in any program funded by the American people.”
The lawsuit comes six weeks after Trump told officials that the institution needed to repay $1 billion it had received in federal support over the allegations. Former Harvard President Claudine Gay criticized that proposal, calling the amount arbitrary and unjustified.
Harvard has filed two lawsuits challenging the administration’s actions, arguing it is being penalized for declining to adopt the administration’s policy positions.
In December, a federal judge blocked the funding cuts, ruling that the administration had not adequately justified them.
