- The Trump administration opened investigations into Stanford University and three University of California campuses over potential violations of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling ending affirmative action in college admissions. Officials said race-based admissions policies could lead to loss of federal funding.
- The U.S. Department of Education is also investigating 52 universities for alleged racial discrimination, while the Department of Health and Human Services is reviewing a California medical school.
- A separate investigation has been launched into the California Department of Education regarding policies on student gender identity disclosures.
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The Trump administration has launched investigations into the admissions policies at Stanford University and three campuses within the University of California system, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Irvine. The Department of Justice announced the investigations on Thursday, March 27.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi directed the department’s Civil Rights Division to determine whether these schools’ admissions policies comply with the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action in college admissions.
Since taking office in January, President Trump has moved to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, arguing that such initiatives exclude White and Asian American students. His administration warned that schools could lose federal funding over “race-based preferences” in admissions, hiring, scholarships and other campus policies.
Universities response
Stanford University responded Thursday, stating that it had taken immediate steps to ensure compliance with the Supreme Court ruling.
“We continue to be committed to fulfilling our obligations under the law,” the university said.
Stanford also noted that it had not been given specific details regarding the investigation.
“We do not have details about today’s announcement, but we look forward to learning more about their concerns and responding to the department’s questions.”
Stanford University
The University of California has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Broader investigation into alleged racial discrimination
This latest action follows an earlier announcement by the U.S. Department of Education, which stated it was investigating 52 universities for alleged racial discrimination. Many of these investigations are linked to a nonprofit organization that helps students of color obtain doctoral degrees.
“President Trump and I are dedicated to ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity across the country,” Bondi said. “Every student in America deserves to be judged solely based on their hard work, intellect, and character, not the color of their skin.”
Other related ongoing investigations
In a separate investigation, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it was reviewing allegations of racial discrimination at “a major medical school in California.” The school was not named, and specific details were not provided. The action follows information received by the department’s Office for Civil Rights.
Additionally, the Trump administration launched an investigation Thursday into the California Department of Education. The focus of this inquiry is a state law that prevents school districts from requiring teachers and staff to notify parents if a student changes their gender identity at school.