The Trump administration filed a lawsuit against Harvard University today in U.S. federal court, alleging the institution has allowed anti-Semitism to persist on its campus for years. The complaint, submitted in Massachusetts federal court on Friday, claims Jewish and Israeli students have been harassed, physically assaulted, stalked, and spat upon with little to no intervention from university officials. The lawsuit specifically references incidents occurring from 2023 through 2025.
According to the Department of Justice’s filing, Harvard University failed to address numerous anti-Semitic incidents, including students being blocked from entering buildings, subjected to physical assaults, and hearing chants such as “Heil Hitler” during protests. The legal action also seeks to classify pro-Hamas protest chants like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” as calls for violence against Jewish people—a move the administration asserts violates Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. Additionally, the lawsuit targets Harvard’s federal funding, demands an independent monitor be appointed, and requires collaboration with law enforcement on protest-related arrests.
Harvard has defended its actions, stating it has implemented measures to combat anti-Semitism through enhanced training and educational programs. A university spokesperson described the lawsuit as “yet another pretextual and retaliatory action by the administration for refusing to turn over control of Harvard to the federal government.”
This lawsuit is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to address alleged anti-Semitism at major universities. Unlike institutions such as Columbia and Northwestern University, which have reached negotiated settlements with the administration, Harvard has refused to engage in talks. The university has also faced recent legal challenges, including lawsuits over its admissions records and accusations of failing to comply with Supreme Court rulings on affirmative action.
