The U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday that the medical school at the University of California, Los Angeles illegally considered race in its admissions process, violating federal law.

The finding represents an escalation in the Trump administration's examination of college admissions practices and its ongoing disputes with UCLA. The administration has increased scrutiny of how universities select students, particularly regarding the use of race-based criteria.

UCLA has maintained that its admissions processes are "based on merit" and that the university complies with both state and federal laws governing educational institutions.

The Justice Department's determination comes as part of broader tensions between the Trump administration and UCLA, which have previously centered on the main campus's handling of allegations involving antisemitic harassment.

The medical school finding adds a new dimension to these disputes, focusing specifically on admissions practices rather than campus climate issues. Federal law prohibits the use of race as a determining factor in admissions decisions at institutions receiving federal funding.