The Trump administration is now targeting Yale, one of the most prestigious American universities. Following its previous attacks on educational and cultural institutions, the Department of Justice accused Yale Medical School on Thursday of discriminating against white and Asian applicants. The issue stems from an extensive investigation into diversity practices at this elite university.
This is a new episode in President Donald Trump’s campaign against American universities, which he accuses of promoting a “woke” ideology, a term used pejoratively by conservatives to criticize progressive and inclusive policies. “Internal documents at Yale show that its leadership intentionally selected candidates based on their race,” stated the Department of Justice in a press release.
Specifically, based on admission data, it alleges that “Black and Hispanic students have a much higher chance of being admitted to Yale than white or Asian students with similar test results.”
When contacted by AFP, the university promised to “carefully study” the Department of Justice’s request. The medical school “is confident in the rigor of its admissions process,” a spokesperson stated in an email.
The episode comes as affirmative action, long promoted in the United States, is now being challenged. The Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that affirmative action measures, practiced for years by universities to promote diversity in their recruitment, were illegal.
The Department of Justice claims that Yale did not comply with this decision and continued to practice admissions based on the candidates’ origins. Before considering any legal action, the department assures that it wants “to reach an amicable resolution with the university” so that it can “comply with the law.”
DOJ did not specify what this agreement might entail. Previously, universities sued by the Trump administration had to pay substantial sums to have the lawsuits dropped.
Last week, the Trump administration launched a similar attack on the medical school at the University of California, Los Angeles, as part of its broad offensive to rein in higher education institutions. Trump threatened to cut federal funding.
He uses this tactic as a negotiating tool with universities he deems too liberal, demanding they accept changes to their programs, enrollment policies, or other aspects of their operations.
The Republican administration has also reduced or frozen funding for university research as part of broader budget cuts since taking office in January 2025. Founded in New Haven, Connecticut, in the early 18th century, Yale is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States.
