The US Department of Justice’s Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism has announced plans to visit ten university campuses in response to a rise in antisemitic incidents since October 2023. The initiative, led by Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell, aims to assess allegations that these institutions failed to adequately protect Jewish students and faculty from discrimination and harassment. The visits are set to take place in the coming weeks, with Harvard University, UCLA, and Columbia University among the schools under scrutiny.

Why is the DOJ Task Force is Investigating Universities

The decision to send federal officials to these campuses follows a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents across the US, particularly in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza. Many Jewish students have reported facing harassment, threats, and exclusion from campus activities, prompting bipartisan concern over university responses. Republican lawmakers have been particularly vocal in investigating how university administrations handled these incidents, leading to congressional hearings and even the resignations of high-profile university leaders such as former Harvard President Claudine Gay.
The Task Force’s involvement signals a heightened federal response, as it seeks to determine whether these universities have violated federal anti-discrimination laws by failing to protect their Jewish communities. This comes in parallel with an investigation by the Department of Education into five public universities for similar allegations.

The list of American universities under scrutiny

The DOJ Task Force has identified ten institutions where antisemitic incidents have been reported at concerning levels. These universities include:

These campuses have seen significant protests, incidents of vandalism, and reports of students being targeted for their Jewish identity or pro-Israel views. Lawsuits and student complaints have also emerged, accusing administrations of inaction or even complicity in fostering hostile environments.

What will the task force do on campus?

The DOJ Task Force’s primary objectives during these visits will be to engage with university leadership, students, faculty, and local law enforcement to collect firsthand accounts of antisemitic incidents. They will evaluate whether institutional policies were violated or whether negligence contributed to an unsafe environment.
Leo Terrell, a key figure in the initiative, stated that the Task Force will assess whether universities have complied with federal civil rights laws that mandate protection against religious discrimination. If violations are found, universities could face legal action or federal funding cuts.
Additionally, the Task Force will consider implementing new policies and recommendations to prevent future incidents. The DOJ has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that students, regardless of their religious background, feel safe and welcome on campus, emphasizing that these visits are part of a broader strategy to curb rising antisemitism in educational institutions.
As the Task Force prepares to visit these ten universities, the outcomes of these investigations could have far-reaching implications for campus policies, federal oversight, and how higher education institutions address hate and discrimination in the future.