The U.S. Department of Justice has initiated investigations into four California universities—Stanford, UC Berkeley, UCLA, and UC Irvine—over allegations of continuing race-focused admissions practices, contradicting a Supreme Court ruling that prohibits affirmative action in higher education.
DOJ Investigates California Universities Over Race-Based Admissions Practices

DOJ Investigates California Universities Over Race-Based Admissions Practices
Federal probes target Stanford and UC campuses, aiming to enforce merit-based admissions following the Supreme Court's ban on affirmative action.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has commenced investigations into four prominent universities in California: Stanford University, the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Irvine (UCI). The DOJ’s inquiry arises from allegations that these institutions have persisted in utilizing race as a determining factor in their admissions processes, seemingly defying the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling that outlawed affirmative action in higher education.
Attorney General Pam Bondi asserted that the current administration is intent on shifting admissions back to a merit-based framework. “President Trump and I are resolute in our aim to eliminate unlawful discrimination and return to merit-based opportunities across the country,” Bondi stated. She emphasized that every student should be evaluated based on their effort, intellect, and integrity rather than their racial background.
The Supreme Court's landmark decision in the case of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard decisively negated race-centric admissions policies, prompting the DOJ to seek compliance from universities across the nation. Acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle reinforced this message, declaring, “Every college and university should be aware that any illegal discrimination in admissions will face scrutiny and will be eradicated.”
Greg Burt, Vice President of the California Family Council, lauded the federal investigations, labeling current university policies as creating a system of "reverse discrimination." He expressed concern that some institutions may have found loopholes to bypass these legal standards and suggested that the investigations could help restore a culture rooted in fairness and merit.
Burt remarked, “Instead of promoting true equality, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies often segregate students by race and stir up division rather than fostering unity.” The renewed focus on merit-based admissions under the Trump administration signifies a significant shift in higher education policy and serves as a clear warning to any institution attempting to sidestep the new directives.
Attorney General Pam Bondi asserted that the current administration is intent on shifting admissions back to a merit-based framework. “President Trump and I are resolute in our aim to eliminate unlawful discrimination and return to merit-based opportunities across the country,” Bondi stated. She emphasized that every student should be evaluated based on their effort, intellect, and integrity rather than their racial background.
The Supreme Court's landmark decision in the case of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard decisively negated race-centric admissions policies, prompting the DOJ to seek compliance from universities across the nation. Acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle reinforced this message, declaring, “Every college and university should be aware that any illegal discrimination in admissions will face scrutiny and will be eradicated.”
Greg Burt, Vice President of the California Family Council, lauded the federal investigations, labeling current university policies as creating a system of "reverse discrimination." He expressed concern that some institutions may have found loopholes to bypass these legal standards and suggested that the investigations could help restore a culture rooted in fairness and merit.
Burt remarked, “Instead of promoting true equality, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies often segregate students by race and stir up division rather than fostering unity.” The renewed focus on merit-based admissions under the Trump administration signifies a significant shift in higher education policy and serves as a clear warning to any institution attempting to sidestep the new directives.