The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated investigations into several major California universities for allegedly continuing to incorporate race in their admissions processes, potentially violating a recent Supreme Court ruling. The move is part of a broader federal effort to reinforce merit-based admissions policies.
DOJ Investigates California Universities Over Alleged Race-Based Admissions Practices
DOJ Investigates California Universities Over Alleged Race-Based Admissions Practices
Federal scrutiny falls on Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Irvine, as they face allegations of non-compliance with a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated investigations into four prestigious California universities—Stanford University, and the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Irvine (UCI)—over allegations that these institutions are continuing to utilize race as a factor in admissions. This comes in apparent defiance of the Supreme Court's landmark ruling in 2023, which abolished affirmative action in higher education admissions.
Attorney General Pam Bondi underscored the Trump administration's commitment to revamping admissions systems across the nation. "President Trump and I are dedicated to ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity across the country," Bondi stated. She emphasized the importance of evaluating students based on their accomplishments rather than their racial or ethnic background, stressing that “every student in America deserves to be judged solely based on their hard work, intellect, and character—not the color of their skin.”
The Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard rendered race-based admissions unconstitutional, thereby mandating compliance from educational institutions. Acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle reiterated this message, asserting, “every college and university should know that illegal discrimination in admissions will be investigated and eliminated.”
Supporters of the DOJ’s actions, such as Greg Burt from the California Family Council, praised the investigations. He accused universities of enacting what he termed “reverse discrimination.” Burt noted that some institutions may have devised strategies to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling, and he believes the DOJ’s inquiries could re-establish a culture rooted in fairness and meritocracy. “Instead of fostering genuine equality,” he remarked, “DEI policies tend to divide students along racial lines and foster resentment rather than unity.”
As the Trump administration escalates its efforts against race-based initiatives, these investigations signal a significant and potentially transformative shift back to merit-first admissions. It serves as an emphatic warning to universities that may be attempting to sidestep the legal stipulations laid out by the nation’s highest court.
Attorney General Pam Bondi underscored the Trump administration's commitment to revamping admissions systems across the nation. "President Trump and I are dedicated to ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity across the country," Bondi stated. She emphasized the importance of evaluating students based on their accomplishments rather than their racial or ethnic background, stressing that “every student in America deserves to be judged solely based on their hard work, intellect, and character—not the color of their skin.”
The Supreme Court's ruling in the case of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard rendered race-based admissions unconstitutional, thereby mandating compliance from educational institutions. Acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle reiterated this message, asserting, “every college and university should know that illegal discrimination in admissions will be investigated and eliminated.”
Supporters of the DOJ’s actions, such as Greg Burt from the California Family Council, praised the investigations. He accused universities of enacting what he termed “reverse discrimination.” Burt noted that some institutions may have devised strategies to circumvent the Supreme Court’s ruling, and he believes the DOJ’s inquiries could re-establish a culture rooted in fairness and meritocracy. “Instead of fostering genuine equality,” he remarked, “DEI policies tend to divide students along racial lines and foster resentment rather than unity.”
As the Trump administration escalates its efforts against race-based initiatives, these investigations signal a significant and potentially transformative shift back to merit-first admissions. It serves as an emphatic warning to universities that may be attempting to sidestep the legal stipulations laid out by the nation’s highest court.
