US Judge Dismisses Trump Administration Lawsuit Against Harvard Over Jewish Student Safety

US District Judge Richard Stearns in Boston ruled on Thursday that the administration had failed to plausibly demonstrate an ongoing violation of federal civil rights law at Harvard.

The lawsuit, filed by the US Department of Justice in March, alleged that Harvard’s leadership, faculty and administration had turned a blind eye to antisemitic incidents and discrimination against Jewish and Israeli students, particularly during pro-Palestinian protests over Israel’s war in Gaza.

The administration brought the case under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin in programs receiving federal financial assistance.

However, Judge Stearns said the incidents cited by the government were too isolated and episodic to establish that Harvard was engaged in an ongoing or institutional violation of civil rights law. Most of the allegations concerned protests during the 2023-24 academic year, while only a small number of later incidents were cited.

The judge also found that the government had not adequately alleged continued noncompliance by Harvard after it was formally notified of the alleged Title VI violations in June 2025.

The case was part of a broader confrontation between Harvard and the Trump administration. The administration had previously sought to freeze billions of dollars in federal funding for the university, while Harvard challenged the move in court.

A separate federal court ruling had already blocked the administration’s attempt to freeze Harvard’s research funding, adding to the university’s legal victories in its dispute with the government.

The Harvard dispute has also raised broader questions about academic freedom, campus protests and the limits of free speech at US universities.

The Trump administration has argued that universities have a responsibility to protect students from antisemitism, harassment and discrimination. Critics, including some pro-Palestinian activists, have argued that allegations of antisemitism should not be used to restrict legitimate criticism of the Israeli government or political expression in support of Palestinians.

The Justice Department has disagreed with the ruling and is considering its next steps, while Harvard and the White House had not immediately issued detailed comments following the decision.