Trump Administration’s Campaign Against Antisemitism on Campuses

The Trump administration has faced criticism for its approach to handling issues, including efforts to combat antisemitism on university campuses. A task force under the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services addressed antisemitism, primarily targeting pro-Palestine protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza. The administration’s accusations of widespread antisemitism were criticized as exaggerated, overshadowing genuine antisemitic incidents on campuses.

In early 2025, the administration initiated an investigation into alleged antisemitic discrimination at 60 colleges under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. They claimed Jewish students feared for their safety. Prominent universities such as Harvard, Columbia, and Brown were investigated. Despite real incidents, the accusations were blown out of proportion, not meeting the Title VI requirements.

A former Justice Department attorney exposed the investigation as a strategy to extract money from universities. The disclosure highlighted procedural irregularities and unfounded outcomes, aiming to withdraw funds from universities. Despite insufficient evidence of extensive discrimination, the administration froze federal grants. Columbia and Brown settled for $270 million, while Northwestern paid $75 million. Harvard refused to settle, leading to a court case which dismissed the administration’s claims.

The court acknowledged serious antisemitic incidents but found them too isolated to indicate systemic discrimination. The administration’s excessive charges have resulted in true antisemitic events being overlooked. Instead of a comprehensive report on real antisemitic rhetoric and actions, the investigations focused on extortion, hindering educational opportunities to separate political advocacy from harmful rhetoric.

Events where students participated in antisemitic chants, such as “Globalize the Intifada,” highlighted the challenge. While these chants are protected by the First Amendment, they are offensive and perceived as endorsing violence against Jews globally. Similar events have occurred worldwide, including in England, Australia, and India, leading to deadly attacks on Jewish communities.

This context underscores the need for informed discussions about the impacts of such slogans. Some Gaza protesters might consider less threatening expressions. However, the Trump administration’s use of antisemitism as a tool against universities has made nuanced discussions difficult, affecting everyone involved.

Author: Steven Lubet, Williams Memorial Professor Emeritus at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.