HHS probes Northwestern University over anti-Semitism allegations

In the United States, the Department of Health and Human Services has launched an investigation into Northwestern University concerning allegations that Jewish students have experienced systemic discrimination on campus. This investigation comes as part of the Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which aims to address growing concerns about anti-Jewish sentiment on university campuses. The announcement on May 14, 2025, referred to Northwestern as a 'prestigious Midwest university', and a spokesman from the university confirmed its involvement in the inquiry. This probe follows a month after the Trump administration froze $790 million in federal funding to the university amid ongoing scrutiny over its handling of anti-Semitic incidents. Northwestern University has taken measures to combat anti-Semitism, which include strengthening its Student Code of Conduct and implementing new University-wide policies since last summer. According to a spokesman, these initiatives have resulted in a significant decrease in reported discrimination or harassment against Jewish students during the academic year. However, a Daily Northwestern poll indicated that over 60 percent of Jewish students and 30 percent of the broader student body still view anti-Semitism on campus as a serious issue. This societal climate has raised alarm among various stakeholders, including student advocacy groups, which have pushed for accountability and transparency from university administrators. The investigation has drawn attention to specific anti-Semitic actions that occurred at Northwestern, including vandalism during Passover when anti-Semitic messages were painted on a building housing the school's Holocaust center. Furthermore, a group at the university, Students for Justice in Palestine, held a controversial training session that featured materials linked to the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, heightening concerns about the prevalence of anti-Semitism on campus. In light of these events, the Trump administration has positioned itself as a defender of Jewish students’ rights and has indicated a willingness to impose consequences on institutions that fail to address anti-Semitic behavior effectively. This scrutiny, alongside the freezing of federal funds, underscores a significant shift in the federal government’s approach to combating anti-Semitism within educational settings, suggesting further actions could be anticipated dependent upon the investigation's outcomes.