The U.S. Justice Department accuses George Washington University of ignoring antisemitism on campus, warning the school to act immediately or risk losing millions in federal funds.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused George Washington University (GWU) of violating federal civil rights laws, charging the school with being “deliberately indifferent” to a surge of antisemitism on its campus.
In a damning letter sent Tuesday, federal officials said GWU failed to take meaningful action to address antisemitic harassment and violence, leaving Jewish students and faculty exposed to intimidation, abuse, and physical assault. The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division detailed how Jewish students felt “intimidated and fearful” during a large pro-Palestinian protest on campus last spring — with multiple reports of harassment and even attacks by demonstrators.
The department is now demanding “immediate remediation”, warning that if the university does not take concrete steps to protect its Jewish community, it could lose all federal funding.
“Every student deserves an equal opportunity to learn in an environment free from harassment and discrimination,” said Harmeet Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. “Universities that tolerate antisemitic behavior will face legal repercussions.”
The move echoes a high-profile case under the Trump administration, when UCLA lost $500 million in federal funding over antisemitism on campus. The current administration is reportedly pushing for a $1 billion fine against UCLA, alongside additional penalties, before reinstating federal support.
With this latest escalation, GWU now faces a stark choice: overhaul its policies to combat antisemitism — or face the full force of federal law.
