Federal Judge Dismisses Trump Administration’s Lawsuit Against Harvard Over Alleged Harassment
In a significant legal development, a federal judge in Boston has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Trump administration against Harvard University. The case, which accused the prestigious institution of failing to address harassment of Jewish students, has highlighted the ongoing tensions between the university and the former administration.
U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns ruled that the administration’s claims did not demonstrate a persistent violation of federal civil rights laws. The lawsuit, initiated in March, primarily focused on events from the 2023-24 academic year, with some incidents cited from March 2025. According to Judge Stearns, these incidents were “too isolated and episodic” to support the claims of ongoing violations.
Harmeet Dhillon, assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Department of Justice, expressed disagreement with the court’s decision, stating, “We disagree with the ruling and are assessing next steps.” Harvard has not yet commented on the ruling.
The lawsuit alleged that Harvard failed to protect Jewish students during pro-Palestinian demonstrations that erupted on campus following Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023. The administration claimed that Jewish students were subjected to harassment and physical assault without adequate intervention by university officials.
In response to the lawsuit, Harvard issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to the safety and well-being of its Jewish and Israeli students, ensuring they feel “embraced, respected, and can thrive on our campus.”
Harvard President Alan M. Garber has taken measures to address antisemitism on campus by establishing a task force and implementing policy reforms. The university has hired a new provost and deans, and revised its disciplinary policies for greater consistency and fairness.
The Trump administration sought to recover billions in federal research grants awarded to Harvard since October 2023, citing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race or national origin.
This lawsuit is one of several actions taken by the administration against Harvard after the university rejected demands made by the White House following Trump’s return to office. Other measures include attempts to reduce Harvard’s research funding and restrict the enrollment of foreign students and U.S. military members.
In a related case last year, a federal judge mandated the Trump administration to reverse $2.6 billion in funding cuts to Harvard, ruling that the administration imposed unconstitutional conditions on funding, using antisemitism as a “smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault” on academic institutions.
Despite the ongoing legal disputes, there have been some negotiations between Harvard and the Trump administration. Trump mentioned that both parties were close to reaching an agreement, but the filing of this civil rights lawsuit marked a significant impasse. Typically, institutions found in violation of federal civil rights laws reach compliance through voluntary agreements.
