A fresh legal clash is unfolding between the Trump administration and Harvard University, as federal officials move to compel the institution to hand over records tied to its admissions policies.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, centers on whether the university has complied with a government investigation examining the role of race in student admissions. The administration argues that Harvard has delayed and limited its responses, withholding documents it considers critical to determining compliance with constitutional standards.
At the heart of the dispute lies the 2023 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, which declared race-conscious admissions programs unconstitutional. Federal officials say the requested materials — including internal admissions policies and communications related to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives — are necessary to assess adherence to that decision.
The legal move comes amid broader tensions between the White House and elite universities. Earlier, President Donald Trump had publicly floated the possibility of a financial settlement with Harvard tied to ongoing federal probes. Those discussions have yet to produce an agreement.
In a statement, Harvard signaled it has been cooperating in good faith and intends to resist what it describes as federal overreach. The university maintains that it remains committed to complying with the law while defending its institutional independence.
Notably, the Justice Department’s complaint does not accuse Harvard of discriminatory conduct. Nor does it seek financial penalties or the withdrawal of federal funding. Instead, it aims narrowly at compelling the production of documents.
The standoff follows earlier efforts by the administration to suspend federal research grants awarded to Harvard, citing concerns over campus responses to antisemitism and protests related to the Gaza conflict. Those funding actions prompted separate litigation and added fuel to an already fraught relationship.
For now, the courtroom becomes the latest battleground in a wider struggle over admissions policies, academic autonomy and the boundaries of federal authority.
