Key facts
- A former DOJ attorney alleges Trump administration antisemitism probes into universities lacked evidence and had predetermined outcomes.
- The whistleblower complaint cited 'extraordinary procedural irregularities' and disregard for legal requirements and free speech rights.
- Proposals to investigate anti-Muslim bias on campuses were reportedly not pursued by leadership.
- The DOJ stated it stands behind the integrity of its investigations.
- Columbia University agreed to pay $200 million to resolve federal probes.
- Brown University agreed to pay $50 million to resolve federal probes.
A former Department of Justice attorney has alleged that investigations into U.S. universities over accusations of antisemitism during the Trump administration lacked evidence and had predetermined outcomes. The whistleblower complaint, sent to the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee and made public by Democratic U.S. Representative Jamie Raskin, stated that the probes were marked by 'extraordinary procedural irregularities, predetermined outcomes without factual or legal support, and disregard' for specific legal requirements and free speech rights.
The complaint, filed by Haley Van Erem, a former career attorney in the DOJ's civil rights division, also noted that proposals to open probes into allegations of anti-Muslim bias on university campuses were not pursued by leadership. Van Erem and others reportedly raised concerns about the investigations, sometimes being admonished and having their concerns disregarded.
According to the complaint, some DOJ assignees felt the mandate to interview Middle East studies professors seemed like an attempt to intimidate them and was rooted in Islamophobic assumptions rather than actual evidence of antisemitism complaints. The DOJ, however, stated that it stands behind the integrity of these investigations.
As a result of these probes, Columbia University agreed to pay more than $200 million to resolve federal investigations, and Brown University agreed to pay $50 million. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, have stated that opposing Israel's occupation of Palestinian territories and its assault on Gaza is not antisemitic, and advocating for Palestinian rights should not be equated with supporting extremism.