The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a civil rights investigation into the University of California (UC) system over allegations of antisemitism following a wave of campus protests in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war.
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced the probe on Wednesday, vowing to combat antisemitism and uphold civil rights protections in higher education institutions.
“This Department of Justice will always defend Jewish Americans, protect civil rights, and leverage our resources to eradicate institutional antisemitism in our nation’s universities,” Bondi stated.
The investigation, carried out under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, will examine whether UC allowed a “pattern or practice of discrimination” by fostering an antisemitic work environment for faculty and staff.
Campus Protests Spark Federal Scrutiny
Since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attack on Israel and Israel’s subsequent military response in Gaza, college campuses across the U.S. have seen a surge in student-led protests. Demonstrators at UCLA and other UC schools have called for an end to the war, a U.S. arms embargo on Israel, and university divestment from Israeli-linked investments.
While many protests were framed as anti-war demonstrations, reports of antisemitic rhetoric and hostility emerged, with Jewish students and faculty expressing concerns over safety.
Some critics argue that the encampments themselves promoted antisemitism, with former President Donald Trump likening the protesters to terrorists.
The UCLA protests gained national attention after counter-protesters violently clashed with student demonstrators in Royce Quad. Videos circulating on social media captured fireworks and tear gas being launched into the encampment, leading to a chaotic scene that lasted for hours.
Justice Department Pledges Action
Leo Terrell, a senior counsel in the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division and a member of the Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, emphasized that Jewish faculty and staff deserve a workplace free of discrimination.
“The impact upon UC’s students has been the subject of considerable media attention and multiple federal investigations,” Terrell said. “But these campuses are also workplaces, and the Jewish faculty and staff employed there deserve a working environment free of antisemitic hostility and hate.”
The investigation adds to mounting scrutiny on university administrators over their handling of antisemitism and campus protests.
University of California Responds
The University of California Office of the President acknowledged the DOJ investigation, affirming its commitment to fighting antisemitism while maintaining an inclusive environment.
“The University of California is unwavering in its commitment to combating antisemitism and protecting everyone’s civil rights,” the statement read. “We continue to take specific steps to foster an environment free of harassment and discrimination for everyone in the university community.”
Trump Threatens Funding Cuts Over Campus Protests
As federal investigations ramp up, President Trump issued a stark warning to universities allowing what he called “illegal protests.”
“All Federal Funding will STOP for any College, School, or University that allows illegal protests,” Trump wrote on social media. “Agitators will be imprisoned/or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested. NO MASKS!”
The former president’s comments underscore growing political tensions over the handling of campus protests and rising concerns about antisemitism in higher education.
Capitol Hill Hearings and Fallout
Congress has already conducted hearings on university responses to campus antisemitism, putting Harvard, MIT, and the University of Pennsylvania in the hot seat. Following intense scrutiny, both Harvard President Claudine Gay and UPenn President Liz Magill resigned amid backlash over their handling of antisemitic incidents and student protests.
With the UC system now under investigation, the national debate over antisemitism in academia is far from over.
What’s Next?
The DOJ’s probe could lead to significant legal and financial consequences for the UC system if findings confirm violations of civil rights laws. Meanwhile, university leaders face growing pressure to crack down on campus extremism while preserving academic freedom.
As the federal investigation unfolds, the battle over antisemitism, free speech, and university policies is expected to remain a focal point of national discourse in the months ahead.