A US federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against Harvard University, which alleged the university failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment.
Judge Richard G. Stearns of the US District Court in Massachusetts ruled that the incidents cited in the lawsuit did not amount to an ongoing violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He stated they were “too isolated and episodic” to support a claim of ongoing civil rights violations.
Too isolated and episodic
The lawsuit, filed in March, accused Harvard of turning “a blind eye to antisemitism and discrimination against Jews and Israelis” and allowing anti-Israel protesters to violate rules with impunity following the start of the war in the Gaza Strip in 2023. It focused on incidents during the 2023-2024 academic year and a small number from March 2025.
Through the lawsuit, the administration sought to reclaim billions in research grant money disbursed to Harvard from October 2023 onward. Harvard argued it had “engaged in sustained, institution-wide efforts to identify and address antisemitism on campus.” President Alan M. Garber highlighted measures including the creation of an antisemitism task force and overhauling disciplinary procedures.
Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights at the US Department of Justice, said: “We disagree with the ruling and are assessing next steps.”
More than 10,000 Harvard alumni filed a brief in July supporting the university, arguing that universities like Harvard can only manifest their mission if they operate with academic freedom.
In a separate legal case last year, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to reverse more than $2.6 billion in federal funding cuts to Harvard. The administration's legal efforts have also included attempts to restrict Harvard's international students and trim research grants.
