Washington: The U.S. Justice Department has launched a multi-agency task force aimed at addressing antisemitism in educational institutions, while the Department of Education has opened investigations into five universities over allegations of antisemitic harassment.
Crackdown on Campus Antisemitism
The initiative follows an executive order from President Donald Trump, in which he warned that “resident aliens who joined in pro-jihadist protests” would face deportation—a reference to pro-Palestinian demonstrations on U.S. college campuses. Trump also vowed to revoke the student visas of individuals he labeled “Hamas sympathizers.” Many pro-Palestinian groups have rejected claims that they support extremism.
The Education Department has launched formal investigations into allegations of antisemitic harassment at Columbia University, Northwestern University, Portland State University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Scrutiny on Higher Education Institutions
Under former President Joe Biden, some universities reached resolution agreements with the Education Department regarding complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobia. However, the Trump administration has dismissed those settlements as ineffective. It remains unclear whether the current administration will take additional action regarding past agreements. The Education Department has not commented on whether it will initiate similar investigations into allegations of anti-Muslim bias.
The Department of Health and Human Services also announced that it has launched compliance reviews at four medical schools over reported incidents of antisemitism during their 2024 commencement ceremonies. The schools under investigation have not been publicly named.
Legal and Civil Rights Concerns
The task force has already drawn criticism from civil rights groups concerned about potential violations of free speech.
“If the task force weaponizes the power of the federal government to suppress the speech of college kids who have advocated for Palestinian rights, then that is going to run into a wall called the U.S. Constitution,” warned Edward Ahmed Mitchell, deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
Context and Broader Impact
Israel’s military operations in Gaza following Hamas’ October 2023 attack on Israel have fueled pro-Palestinian demonstrations across U.S. college campuses. These protests have intensified debates over free speech and discrimination, with both Jewish and Muslim students reporting increased harassment.
The leadership of some of the nation’s most prestigious universities has also been impacted. The presidents of three Ivy League schools have resigned in response to mounting criticism over their handling of campus protests and allegations of antisemitism.
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Rights organizations have documented a rise in hate incidents targeting Jewish, Muslim, and Arab communities in the U.S. amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.
What’s Next?
The Justice Department’s task force will coordinate efforts through its Civil Rights Division, while CAIR has stated it will closely monitor the initiative and consider legal action if necessary.
Meanwhile, universities are also facing legal challenges over their handling of campus protests. On Monday, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the University of Michigan, while a group of students took legal action against Columbia University over bans and suspensions related to pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
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As federal scrutiny intensifies, schools and advocacy groups are bracing for potential policy shifts and legal battles over the limits of protest and discrimination protections.
