Judge Tosses Administration's Lawsuit Against Harvard

The Trump administration's battle against Harvard just hit a wall in federal court. A judge in Boston on Thursday tossed the Trump administration's lawsuit accusing the university of ignoring antisemitism on campus, reports the New York Times. US District Judge Richard G. Stearns ruled that the incidents cited by the administration were "too isolated and episodic" to prove the university violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which bars discrimination at institutions receiving federal funds.

The suit accused the school of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment during protests of Israel's war in Gaza, mostly during the 2023/24 school year, per Reuters. The case had been part of a broader push by the administration to pressure Harvard on its handling of antisemitism, race in admissions, and other issues. The lawsuit sought not only to cut off funding to Harvard but to claw back $1 billion in previous federal grants, per the Harvard Crimson. The White House did not immediately comment on the ruling, but an appeal is expected.