Trump Administration's Federal Probe Challenges Harvard on Civil Rights

The Trump administration has launched a federal probe accusing Harvard University of failing to adequately address harassment faced by Jewish and Israeli students, alleging a violation of civil rights law. On Monday, officials announced their findings, which could open the door to more stringent federal actions against the prestigious institution.

The investigation, led by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Civil Rights, faulted Harvard for 'deliberate indifference' to discrimination incidents. The administration has already withheld $2.5 billion in federal grants and threatened further financial cutbacks, sparking concerns that such measures could jeopardize academic freedom and critical research at universities across the United States.

In response, Harvard insisted it had taken 'substantive, proactive steps' to combat antisemitism, yet the administration remains firm, expanding its scrutiny to other higher education institutions, including Columbia University and the University of California system, under the same allegations of civil rights violations.

(With inputs from agencies.)