By Trendsetter Tribune 
LOS ANGELES — In a major escalation of its campaign against elite universities, the Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a federal lawsuit against the University of California system on Tuesday, February 24, 2026. The 81-page complaint alleges that UCLA administrators “turned a blind eye” to a “severe and pervasive” antisemitic hostile work environment, violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The lawsuit marks the latest chapter in a year-long battle between the Trump administration and the UC system, which has already seen frozen research grants and billion-dollar settlement demands.
The Core Allegations
The DOJ’s lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, contends that UCLA failed to protect its Jewish and Israeli employees following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks.
- Facilitating Hostility: The complaint accuses UCLA leaders of not only ignoring but at times “facilitating” grossly antisemitic acts, particularly during the 2024 pro-Palestinian encampments.
- Failure to Discipline: Federal officials allege the university failed to discipline students, faculty, or staff involved in antisemitic behavior, including those who reportedly blocked Jewish employees from accessing parts of the campus.
- Ignored “Cries for Help”: The suit claims UCLA’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) routinely ignored complaints from “terrified” employees until the DOJ announced its formal investigation in March 2025.
- Impact on Staff: The DOJ states that numerous Jewish and Israeli employees have been forced to take leaves of absence, work from home, or resign entirely to escape the allegedly hostile climate.
The Legal and Financial Stakes
This lawsuit follows a series of aggressive moves by the administration to force policy changes at the university.
| Action | Date | Details |
| Notice of Violation | July 2025 | DOJ accused UCLA of “deliberate indifference” toward antisemitism. |
| Settlement Demand | August 2025 | The administration demanded $1.2 billion in penalties and the dismantling of DEI programs. |
| Funding Freeze | Sept 2025 | The administration froze $584 million in UCLA research grants; a judge later ordered them restored. |
| Lawsuit Filed | Feb 24, 2026 | The DOJ seeks damages for aggrieved employees and a court order forcing UCLA to enforce anti-discrimination policies. |
Official Responses
The administration’s top legal officials characterized the lawsuit as a necessary intervention to protect civil rights.
“UCLA administrators allegedly allowed virulent anti-Semitism to flourish on campus, harming students and staff alike. This Department of Justice stands strong against hate and anti-Semitism in all its vile forms.” — Attorney General Pam Bondi
“The litany of vile acts of antisemitism that allegedly took place… are a mark of shame against the University of California.” — Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights
UCLA did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday, though UC system leaders have previously resisted the administration’s demands, characterizing them as ideological “shakedowns” intended to bypass established legal processes.
What’s Next?
- Court Proceedings: The lawsuit does not specify a total monetary figure but asks for “damages” to be awarded to affected employees.
- Congressional Pressure: The House Committee on Education and the Workforce is conducting its own parallel investigation into the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine.
- State of the Union: Many analysts expect the President to highlight the UCLA lawsuit during tonight’s State of the Union address as evidence of his “crackdown” on campus radicalism.