The U.S. Department of Justice has filed federal lawsuits against Harvard University and the University of California, Los Angeles, alleging the institutions have violated federal antidiscrimination laws by allowing antisemitism to persist on their campuses.

The legal action represents a renewed effort by the Trump administration to address what it characterizes as widespread antisemitism at major universities. Previous attempts to halt federal funding to these institutions were reportedly unsuccessful in court.

The lawsuits allege that both universities have failed to adequately respond to antisemitic incidents and environments on their campuses, in violation of federal civil rights protections. The Justice Department is simultaneously launching civil rights investigations into the schools' handling of such matters.

The legal filings mark an escalation in the federal government's approach to addressing campus antisemitism claims. Both Harvard and UCLA have been subjects of scrutiny regarding their responses to incidents and allegations of antisemitic behavior among students and faculty.

The outcome of these cases could set significant precedents for how universities must respond to allegations of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination on campus. The lawsuits seek to compel the institutions to take more aggressive action to address what the Justice Department characterizes as hostile environments for Jewish students and community members.