Justice Department Sues UCLA Over Alleged Failure to Protect Jewish Employees

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

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), alleging the school failed to protect Jewish employees from antisemitic harassment during pro-Palestinian protests on campus in 2023 and 2024. The lawsuit claims UCLA tolerated an encampment protest that included antisemitic signs and chants, and failed to discipline students, faculty or staff involved in the incidents.

Why it matters

The lawsuit is the latest escalation in the Trump administration's campaign to punish top universities it accuses of being soft on antisemitism. The case highlights ongoing tensions between pro-Palestinian activism and concerns over antisemitism on college campuses.

The details

The 81-page lawsuit alleges UCLA violated its own policies by tolerating the 2024 protest encampment, which the Justice Department says blocked Jewish employees and students from parts of campus and included antisemitic signs and chants. The lawsuit claims UCLA failed to discipline anyone over the antisemitic behavior. It asks a judge to force UCLA to enforce its anti-discrimination policies and award damages to Jewish employees who faced a hostile work environment.

  • In 2023 and 2024, pro-Palestinian protests roiled the UCLA campus.
  • In 2024, a protest encampment on campus led to clashes between protesters and counterprotesters, resulting in more than 200 arrests.
  • Last summer, the Trump administration sought $1 billion from UCLA as part of a settlement to end federal scrutiny of the university.

The players

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

A public research university in Los Angeles, California.

U.S. Department of Justice

The federal agency that has filed the lawsuit against UCLA.

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.

Mary Osako

The vice chancellor for strategic communications at UCLA.

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration has targeted elite universities over allegations of antisemitism and liberal bias.

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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

The judge in the case will decide whether to force UCLA to enforce its 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 efforts to crack down on what it sees as liberal bias at top universities.