Trump Administration Refers Harvard to DOJ Over Antisemitism, Seeks $500 Million Settlement

The Trump administration has escalated its legal battle with Harvard University by referring the case to the U.S. Department of Justice after months of unsuccessful negotiations over allegations that Harvard violated federal civil rights laws by failing to adequately address antisemitism on campus. The administration demands a settlement starting at $500 million, along with the appointment of a jointly approved resolution monitor to oversee compliance, similar to a recent agreement with Columbia University. Harvard is resisting these demands, having filed lawsuits to restore billions of dollars in federal funding frozen due to the allegations, while arguing that the administration's actions threaten academic freedom and conflate legitimate political speech with antisemitism. The administration's probe is part of a broader effort to hold universities accountable for alleged antisemitic incidents related to pro-Palestinian protests and to enforce federal oversight on diversity and campus safety measures. Critics and some Jewish groups involved in the protests maintain that advocacy for Palestinian rights should not be equated with antisemitism or extremism, raising concerns about free speech implications. This dispute exemplifies ongoing national debates over university governance, free speech, and the federal government's role in civil rights enforcement on campuses.