Justice Department Sues UCLA Over Alleged Failure to Protect Jewish Employees

Lawsuit claims university turned "blind eye" to antisemitic harassment during pro-Palestinian protests

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The U.S. Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the University of California, alleging that UCLA failed to protect Jewish employees from antisemitic harassment during pro-Palestinian protests on campus in 2023 and 2024. The lawsuit claims UCLA violated its own policies by tolerating an encampment protest that included antisemitic signs and chants, and failed to discipline any students, faculty or staff over the incidents.

Why it matters

The lawsuit is the latest escalation in the Trump administration's campaign to crack down on universities it accuses of being soft on antisemitism. It comes after UCLA reached a $6 million settlement with Jewish students and a professor who sued the university over similar allegations. The case highlights ongoing tensions between pro-Palestinian activism and concerns over antisemitism on college campuses.

The details

The 81-page lawsuit alleges that UCLA "turned a blind eye to - and at times facilitated - grossly antisemitic acts and systematically ignored cries for help from its own terrified Jewish and Israeli employees." It focuses on a 2024 protest encampment that federal officials say blocked Jewish employees and students from parts of campus and included antisemitic signs and chants. The lawsuit claims UCLA failed to discipline any students, faculty or staff over the incidents.

  • In 2023 and 2024, pro-Palestinian protests roiled the UCLA campus.
  • In 2024, dozens were arrested for failing to leave a campus encampment protest.
  • Last year, UCLA reached a $6 million settlement with three Jewish students and a Jewish professor who sued the university.
  • The Justice Department filed the lawsuit on Tuesday, February 25, 2026.

The players

University of California

The public university system that includes 10 campuses, including UCLA.

UCLA

The University of California, Los Angeles campus, which is the focus of the Justice Department's lawsuit.

Julio Frenk

The chancellor of UCLA, whose Jewish father and grandparents fled to Mexico to escape Nazi Germany, and whose wife is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. Frenk launched an initiative to combat antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias on campus.

Mary Osako

The vice chancellor for strategic communications at UCLA, who said the university has taken "concrete and significant steps" to strengthen campus security, enforce policies and combat antisemitism.

Trump administration

The former presidential administration that has targeted elite universities it accuses of liberal and antisemitic bias, primarily focusing on private universities but also taking aim at public schools like UCLA.

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What they’re saying

“Antisemitism is abhorrent and has no place at UCLA or elsewhere”

— Mary Osako, UCLA Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications (UCLA statement)

“We stand firmly by the decisive actions we have taken to combat antisemitism in all its forms, and we will vigorously defend our efforts and our unwavering commitment to providing a safe, inclusive environment for all members of our community”

— Mary Osako, UCLA Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications (UCLA statement)

What’s next

A federal judge will decide whether to force UCLA to enforce its own anti-discrimination policies and award damages to Jewish employees who faced a hostile work environment.

The takeaway

This lawsuit highlights the ongoing tensions between pro-Palestinian activism and concerns over antisemitism on college campuses, as well as the Trump administration's aggressive approach to tackling what it sees as liberal bias and antisemitism at top universities.