DOJ: George Washington University 'deliberately indifferent' to antisemitism

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Tuesday that George Washington University is in violation of federal civil rights law and described it as “deliberately indifferent” to antisemitism on campus.  

The DOJ said George Washington took “no meaningful action” to combat antisemitism that led to harm to Jewish students and faculty.  

In a letter to the university, the DOJ said Jewish students were intimidated and fearful during the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus last spring and that multiple Jewish students reported harassment or assault from protesters. 

The DOJ will be seeking “immediate remediation” with the university, with fears likely to mount that could lead to pulled federal funding.  

“Every student has the right to equal educational opportunities without fear of harassment or abuse,” said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “No one is above the law, and universities that promulgate antisemitic discrimination will face legal consequences.” 

The Hill has reached out to George Washington University for comment.  

After finding the University of California, Los Angeles, broke federal civil rights law due to antisemitism on campus, the Trump administration pulled $500 million in federal funding.  

The Trump administration is now looking for UCLA to pay a $1 billion fine, along with other concessions, in order for federal funding to be restored.