DOJ Investigating Race in Admissions at Three Medical Schools

Probe targets UC San Diego, Stanford, and Ohio State amid Trump administration's pressure on colleges

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:35pm

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The Trump administration has opened investigations into how race is considered in admissions at the medical schools of Stanford University, Ohio State University, and the University of California, San Diego. The Justice Department is seeking documents and data related to the use of race in the admissions process at these schools.

Why it matters

The investigations are part of the Trump administration's broader campaign against affirmative action and the consideration of race in college admissions. The administration has previously targeted undergraduate admissions at selective colleges, and this latest move ratchets up the pressure on universities that the president has accused of being overrun by liberal influence.

The details

The Justice Department's assistant attorney general for civil rights, Harmeet Dhillon, announced the investigations on Wednesday. In letters to the schools, the DOJ is requesting documents related to 'the use or lack of use of race' in evaluating applicants, as well as admissions data going back to 2019. The schools have said they are reviewing the requests and are committed to fair and legal admissions processes.

  • The investigations were opened on March 26, 2026.
  • The DOJ letters were sent to the schools on March 26, 2026.

The players

Harmeet Dhillon

The Justice Department's assistant attorney general for civil rights, who announced the investigations.

Donald Trump

The former president who has been ramping up scrutiny of universities and the consideration of race in college admissions.

UC San Diego

One of the three medical schools under investigation by the DOJ.

Stanford University

One of the three medical schools under investigation by the DOJ.

Ohio State University

One of the three medical schools under investigation by the DOJ.

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What they’re saying

“Stanford School of Medicine prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.”

— Cecilia Arradaza, Stanford School of Medicine spokesperson

What’s next

The schools will respond to the DOJ's requests for documents and data related to their admissions processes. The investigations are part of the Trump administration's broader campaign against affirmative action, and the outcome could have significant implications for how race is considered in medical school admissions going forward.

The takeaway

These investigations reflect the Trump administration's continued efforts to limit the use of race in college admissions, even at the graduate school level. The outcome could set new precedents for how medical schools and other professional programs evaluate applicants, potentially restricting the consideration of race and diversity in the admissions process.