Trump Administration Targets Harvard With Two New Investigations

New York Times
by Michael C. Bender and Alan Blinder
March 23, 2026
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3 min read

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The Bottom Line

Trump administration opened two investigations into Harvard over antisemitism and admissions policies, characterizing the move as retaliation.

AI Summary

The Trump administration has launched two separate investigations into Harvard University, one examining antisemitism on campus and another reviewing the university's admissions policies. Harvard disputed the action, characterizing it as retaliation for refusing to comply with administration demands. The investigations represent a continuation of the administration's scrutiny of elite universities over their diversity and discrimination practices, a focal point of Trump's policy agenda. Harvard has faced previous federal inquiries and legal challenges regarding its admissions processes, which critics argue discriminate against Asian American applicants. The university's resistance signals a likely legal and political clash between the institution and the federal government over higher education policy.

What's Being Done

The Trump administration launched two separate investigations into Harvard University examining antisemitism on campus and admissions practices.

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