“DOE to Investigate Antisemitism at 5 Colleges, Including Northwestern University, Following Trump’s Directive”

The Education Department announced Monday that the Trump administration is launching new investigations into accusations of antisemitism at five American universities, one of which is Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

President Trump has pledged to take a stronger stance against antisemitism on college campuses compared to the previous administration led by President Joe Biden. The Education Department’s move follows a series of settlements made by Biden’s administration with universities in its final days.

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On the same day as announcing the new investigations, the Justice Department introduced a task force aimed at eliminating antisemitism within higher education institutions. Trump issued an order last week calling for robust measures to combat anti-Jewish prejudice, which includes the expulsion of international students involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

The five universities being targeted by the probe are Columbia University in New York University of California – Berkeley, Portland State University in Oregon, the University of Minnesota and Northwestern University.

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The department didn’t provide details about the inquiries or how it decided which schools are being targeted. Presidents of Columbia and Northwestern were among those called to testify on Capitol Hill last year as Republicans sought accountability for allegations of antisemitism amid protests against Israel’s airstrikes in Gaza. The searing hearings contributed to the resignation of multiple university presidents, including Columbia’s Minouche Shafik.

Northwestern released a statement acknowledging they have “received notice” of the investigation, and said they “intend to fully comply with federal investigators as we have with the House Committee on Education and the Workforce over the past year.”

“There is no place for antisemitism or any form of identity-based discrimination or hate at Northwestern University. Free expression and academic freedom are among our core values, but we have made clear that these values provide no excuse for behavior that threatens the well-being of others,” the statement continued. “We are confident in the actions we have taken to address antisemitism on our campus, including updating our Student Code of Conduct, our disciplinary procedures and making investments in public safety. We continue to work tirelessly to make our university a safe and non-discriminatory educational institution.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.