The Trump administration is suing Harvard University, claiming the institution has refused to provide necessary admissions records demanded by the Justice Department. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, alleges that Harvard has “thwarted” federal efforts to investigate potential discrimination in its admissions process, particularly concerning allegations that the university may still be considering race in admissions despite a Supreme Court ruling prohibiting such practices in 2023. Harmeet Dhillon, leading the Civil Rights Division, stated that Harvard's resistance is concerning and noted, If Harvard has stopped discriminating, it should happily share the data necessary to prove it. The Department’s compliance review was initiated alongside demands for admissions data, including applicants' grades, test scores, essays, extracurriculars, and racially identifiable information—data Harvard has yet to provide as requested by an April 2025 deadline. The dispute is part of a larger tension, with Harvard reportedly facing funding cuts and other sanctions from the administration after rejecting prior demands regarding its admissions policies.
Justice Department Sues Harvard Over Admissions Records
The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, demanding the release of admissions records to investigate allegations of discrimination in its admissions process. This action is part of a broader conflict between Harvard and the administration regarding affirmative action policies.
The Trump administration's Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University for allegedly obstructing a federal investigation into its admissions practices. This legal action follows claims of discrimination and a refusal by Harvard to comply with requests for detailed admissions data. The government aims to ensure Harvard adheres to recent Supreme Court rulings on affirmative action. The dispute escalated after Harvard rejected prior demands from the administration, potentially jeopardizing its federal funding.
