Federal judge dismisses Trump administration's antisemitism lawsuit against Harvard

On August 13, 2026, U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns dismissed a Trump administration lawsuit accusing Harvard University of failing to address antisemitism on campus in violation of Title VI. The judge ruled that the alleged incidents were 'too isolated and episodic' to establish an ongoing violation, noting the suit focused on events from the 2023-24 academic year. The dismissal marks a significant defeat for the administration's broader pressure campaign against Harvard, which also includes frozen federal grants and student visa restrictions. A separate federal ruling had already blocked over $2.6 billion in funding cuts, calling the antisemitism claim a 'smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault.'

“The alleged incidents were 'too isolated and episodic' to establish an ongoing violation of Title VI.” — U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns in his ruling dismissing the Trump administration's antisemitism lawsuit against Harvard University, August 13, 2026.