DOJ files lawsuit against Harvard over alleged withholding of race-related admissions data

WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division announced Friday that it has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, alleging that the Ivy League institution illegally withheld admissions data needed to determine whether its practices are free from discrimination.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice is demanding better from our nation’s educational institutions,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “Harvard has failed to disclose the data we need to ensure that its admissions are free of discrimination — we will continue fighting to put merit over DEI across America.”

A Supreme Court ruling in 2023 determined that race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina violated the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

The decision effectively ended the use of race as a direct factor in college admissions at most institutions.

Following that ruling, colleges were required to revise their admissions policies to ensure they do not explicitly or implicitly use race in ways that violate the Court’s decision.

“The lawsuit alleges that Harvard repeatedly slow-walked the pace of production and refused to produce pertinent data and documents requested by the DOJ, including individualized applicant admissions data, admissions policies, and correspondence related to race; ethnicity; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and Students for Fair Admissions,” a statement from the DOJ read.

An investigation was opened by the DOJ in April 2025 to determine whether Harvard continued to discriminate based on race and requested applicant-level admissions data — including test scores, GPAs, internal ratings, and demographic information — for Harvard College, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Medical School.

According to the complaint, Harvard produced only publicly available materials and aggregated data, but did not provide the requested individual-level applicant data, even after multiple deadline extensions.

The government is asking the court to order Harvard to turn over the requested admissions documents and comply with Title VI reporting requirements.