The U.S. Justice Department announced Friday the creation of a federal task force to investigate anti-Semitism on college campuses, following a surge in incidents since October 2023.
The task force will visit 10 universities across the country, including Columbia University, George Washington University, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, New York University, Northwestern University, UCLA, UC Berkeley, the University of Minnesota, and USC.
These schools, primarily located in the Northeast and California, have been identified as having failed to protect Jewish students and faculty from unlawful discrimination, according to the department’s statement.
“The president, Attorney General Pamela Bondi, and the entire Administration are committed to ensuring that no one should feel unsafe or unwelcome on campus because of their religion,” Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Leo Terrell said in the Justice Department’s statement.
“The Task Force’s mandate is to bring the full force of the federal government to bear in our effort to eradicate Anti-Semitism, particularly in schools. These visits are just one of many steps this Administration is taking to deliver on that commitment.”
The initiative stems from President Donald Trump’s Executive Order aimed at combating anti-Semitism. Earlier this month, the Justice Department emphasized that addressing harassment and discrimination against Jewish students is a top priority for the administration.
As part of its investigation, the task force will meet with university administrators, local law enforcement, and community groups to determine whether “remedial action is warranted.”
President Trump has called for action within 60 days of the Executive Order’s signing, underscoring the administration’s commitment to ensuring Jewish students are protected on college campuses.
