The Trump administration has concluded that Harvard University violated federal civil rights laws in its handling of Jewish and Israeli students, according to a report published Monday by The Wall Street Journal. The finding marks a dramatic escalation in the administration’s ongoing campaign against elite academic institutions it accuses of fostering antisemitism under the guise of progressive ideology.

Citing a letter reportedly sent to Harvard President Alan Garber, the Journal said the Department of Education warned that unless immediate reforms are enacted, Harvard risks losing all access to federal financial support — a critical resource for one of the country’s most prominent universities.

“Failure to institute adequate changes immediately will result in the loss of all federal financial resources and continue to affect Harvard’s relationship with the federal government,” the letter stated, according to WSJ.

While Reuters has not independently confirmed the report, the move aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader efforts to reshape higher education policy. He has frequently accused institutions like Harvard of being “captured” by left-wing ideologies, claiming that campuses have become hostile environments for conservative voices and Jewish students.

The administration’s findings follow months of scrutiny into how universities have responded to a wave of campus protests and tensions surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, particularly in the aftermath of the October 2023 Hamas attack and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza. Jewish student groups have raised concerns about safety and discriminatory treatment, prompting federal investigations into whether universities have failed to uphold their Title VI obligations under the Civil Rights Act.

Trump officials argue that many institutions have allowed antisemitism to fester under the guise of political expression, particularly targeting Jewish students who are perceived as affiliated with Israeli state policy.

The ultimatum from Washington could force Harvard and other universities to rapidly review their conduct policies, campus climate efforts, and procedures for addressing discrimination and harassment. It also sets a precedent for a potential wave of similar enforcement actions across other elite academic institutions under federal oversight.

Harvard has not yet publicly responded to the report or confirmed receipt of the letter.

By Staff Writer, Courtesy of Forbes | June 30, 2025 | Edited for WTFwire.com
Source: Reuters