Department of Education Investigates Antisemitism at Five Universities

The U.S. Department of Education has initiated civil rights investigations into five universities—Columbia University, Northwestern University, Portland State University, the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities—due to reports of widespread antisemitism. This action follows the House Committee on Education's report highlighting universities' failure to protect Jewish students after the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, criticized past resolutions by the Biden administration as ineffective, asserting that the current administration will not tolerate indifference towards Jewish students' well-being. These investigations are part of a broader effort, including a new task force announced by the Justice Department, to address and combat antisemitism across college campuses. The investigations come in the wake of significant antisemitic incidents and protests that have affected campus life, particularly at Portland State University, where a library was occupied by anti-Israel demonstrators. The Trump administration is emphasizing a tougher stance compared to its predecessor, aiming to hold educational institutions accountable for their handling of antisemitic harassment.