US Justice Department sues Harvard over antisemitism allegations, seeks to claw back federal funds

The United States Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, alleging that the institution failed to address antisemitism on campus and violated federal civil rights law. The complaint was filed on Friday in a federal court in Massachusetts.

According to the lawsuit, the government is seeking to freeze existing federal grants to Harvard and recover funds that have already been disbursed. The Justice Department stated that the university’s actions created grounds for financial penalties.

“The United States cannot and will not tolerate these failures,” the department said in the filing. It also asked the court to compel Harvard to comply with federal civil rights requirements and assist in recovering “billions of dollars of taxpayer subsidies awarded to a discriminatory institution,” the Associated Press reports.

The lawsuit further seeks court intervention to require Harvard to call police to remove protesters blocking access to campus spaces. It also calls for the appointment of an independent monitor, subject to government approval, to oversee compliance with court orders.

In a statement, Harvard said it remains committed to supporting its Jewish and Israeli community. “Harvard has taken substantive, proactive steps to address the root causes of antisemitism and actively enforces anti-harassment and anti-discrimination rules and policies,” the university said.

The case marks a continuation of a broader dispute between the administration of President Donald Trump and the university. In earlier legal proceedings, Harvard argued that it was being penalised for refusing to comply with federal demands. A federal judge ruled in favour of Harvard in September, reversing funding cuts and describing the antisemitism argument as a “smokescreen.”

Trump administration and Harvard in prolonged dispute

The latest lawsuit comes amid a year-long conflict between the federal government and Harvard. The dispute began with an investigation into allegations of antisemitism and expanded into a wider confrontation over federal oversight of universities.

The administration has already cut more than $2.6 billion in research funding to Harvard, ended federal contracts, and attempted to restrict the university’s ability to host international students.

Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, said the lawsuit reflects continued pressure on the institution. “When bullies pound on the table and don’t get what they want, they pound again,” he said in a statement.

The administration’s approach differs from past enforcement practices. Traditionally, civil rights investigations into universities involve negotiations, findings, and voluntary compliance agreements over extended periods.

Focus on protests and civil rights concerns

The government’s case centres on allegations that Harvard did not adequately respond to concerns raised by Jewish and Israeli students during protests linked to the Israel Hamas conflict.

Officials said some students reported avoiding classes due to concerns about campus conditions. The administration also alleged that Harvard allowed protests in restricted areas and permitted a pro-Palestinian encampment to remain on campus for several days in violation of its policies.

White House press secretary Liz Huston said the university failed to act against harassment. “Harvard University has failed to protect its Jewish students from harassment and has allowed discrimination to continue on its campus,” she said, AP reports.

Harvard has rejected these claims and argued that the federal government is infringing on its First Amendment rights. In earlier court filings, the university said it was being asked to alter academic and administrative practices under threat of losing funding.

Negotiations remain unresolved

Despite ongoing legal action, both sides have held negotiations over the past year. Several reports indicated that Harvard and the administration were close to reaching a settlement that would restore funding in exchange for financial payments and policy changes.

The proposed settlement figure reportedly increased from $500 million to $1 billion during discussions.

At the same time, a federal task force investigating antisemitism concluded that Harvard had failed to address harassment concerns adequately. It warned that the matter could be referred to the Justice Department for legal action if compliance was not achieved.

Harvard President Alan M Garber has said the university has taken steps to address concerns, including forming a task force on antisemitism, revising disciplinary policies, and making administrative changes.

The Trump administration has also taken similar actions against other universities, linking federal funding to compliance measures. Some institutions have reached agreements, including financial settlements and policy adjustments, to restore funding access.
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