Trump DOJ Deploys Federal Task Force to Protect Jewish Students at 10 Universities

Anti-Israel activists chant as they march during a protest at Columbia University, Oct. 12, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File) (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura, File)

The task force will investigate university responses to antisemitic incidents, assess institutional policies, and ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.

By Jewish Breaking News

The U.S. Department of Justice, under President Trump’s administration, is taking decisive action against the rising wave of antisemitism on college campuses.

In response to increasing reports of harassment, intimidation, and unchecked hostility toward Jewish students and faculty, a federal task force has been deployed to 10 universities where concerns have reached critical levels.

Universities Targeted for Federal Oversight

The task force will be monitoring and addressing antisemitic incidents at the following institutions:

• University of Southern California (USC)
• Harvard University
• New York University
• George Washington University
• Columbia University
• University of Minnesota
• University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
• Johns Hopkins University
• Northwestern University
• University of California, Berkeley

These universities have been the site of widespread concerns over antisemitic rhetoric, harassment, and threats against Jewish students, many of whom have reported feeling unsafe or abandoned by university leadership.

A Federal Response to Campus Antisemitism

The Trump administration’s DOJ initiative comes amid increasing national attention on the hostile environment Jewish students face at elite institutions.

Reports of hate speech, physical threats, and exclusionary behavior have escalated, particularly following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent rise in pro-Hamas demonstrations on U.S. campuses.

Attorney General Pam Bondi has emphasized the importance of ensuring that federal civil rights laws are enforced, particularly when it comes to protecting students from discrimination and targeted harassment.

The task force will investigate university responses to antisemitic incidents, assess institutional policies, and ensure compliance with federal anti-discrimination laws.

Growing Concern Over Campus Climate

Many Jewish students have reported fear of attending classes, displaying religious symbols, or expressing their views due to the hostile atmosphere.

Some universities have been accused of failing to hold students and faculty accountable for antisemitic remarks and threats, with critics arguing that free speech protections are being exploited to enable hate speech and harassment.

Jewish advocacy organizations have welcomed the federal intervention, saying that universities have largely failed to protect their Jewish students.

Others have criticized the move, arguing that it may infringe on campus discourse, though the DOJ maintains that the focus is on enforcing laws that prevent harassment and violence, not policing political speech.

What Comes Next?

The task force will begin its work immediately, assessing campus policies, security measures, and enforcement of federal protections.

Universities found to be non-compliant with federal anti-discrimination laws could face legal consequences and loss of federal funding.

The situation remains fluid, and as investigations unfold, many are watching closely to see how universities respond to this unprecedented federal scrutiny.