DOJ Investigates Admissions Policies at Stanford and UC Campuses for Compliance with Affirmative Action Ban

The Justice Department launches probes into four universities, alleging potential violations of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling while schools affirm adherence to the law.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced federal compliance reviews of admissions policies at Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Irvine to ensure adherence to the Supreme Court's 2023 affirmative action ban.
The investigations are part of the Trump administration's broader effort to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in higher education, citing claims of illegal discrimination.
Universities under investigation, including Stanford and the UC system, assert that they have complied with the Supreme Court ruling and do not use race or ethnicity in admissions decisions.
Critics highlight the lack of disclosed evidence or specific complaints that prompted the DOJ probes, raising concerns about the motivations behind the investigations.
The crackdown on DEI initiatives follows earlier federal warnings to universities about potential funding cuts for non-compliance, reflecting a wider campaign targeting race-based practices.