The Justice Department launched an investigation into Harvard University over allegations that the institution was failing to comply with the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that ended affirmative action in admissions.
On Monday, the Justice Department sent a letter to Harvard to inform school leadership of the investigation under the False Claims Act, the New York Times reported.
Harvard is being accused of defrauding the government through its admissions process, even though it claims to be in compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling. The Education Department hit Harvard with a compliance review earlier this month to determine whether the university was engaging in racial discrimination against its undergraduate applicants, according to the outlet.
Harvard spokesman Jonathan Swain said the school was in compliance with the Supreme Court’s ruling and that the admissions department doesn’t have access to applicants’ race and ethnic information during the decision-making process.
“This investigation is yet another abusive and retaliatory action — the latest of many — that the administration has initiated against Harvard since the University was forced to defend itself from harmful overreach against higher education, including the freeze and termination of millions of dollars in funding for medical and scientific research, which will lead to devastating consequences for our nation’s health, economic prosperity, and scientific leadership,” Swain said in a statement.
The 14-page letter from the DOJ does not say how Harvard defrauded the government, but it demands emails, text messages, and other communication exchanges in which the school’s higher-ups discussed President Donald Trump and his executive orders.
The Justice Department is also calling on a school official to testify under oath about the school’s admissions policies.
The Trump administration’s use of the False Claims Act against Harvard is the latest in its efforts to target diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at entities receiving federal funding.
The Trump administration has canceled $2.7 billion in funding for the university, frozen $1 billion in research grants for the university, and disqualified the university from receiving future research grants.
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The Education Department cut an additional $450 million from the university on Tuesday for failing to comply with demands to combat antisemitism. Harvard is suing the Trump administration over its decision to freeze funding.
The Washington Examiner reached out to Harvard for comment.
