Trump DOJ Probes Alleged Race Bias at Top Med Schools

UC San Diego, Stanford, and Ohio State face data demands over admissions practices.

Mar. 26, 2026 at 10:05pm

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The Trump administration is investigating whether UC San Diego, Stanford, and Ohio State University medical schools engaged in racial discrimination in their admissions processes. The Department of Justice has demanded the schools turn over extensive student data, including race, test scores, and home addresses, within a month or potentially face cuts to federal research funding.

Why it matters

This probe is the latest in a series of conflicts between the Trump administration and California universities over allegations of admissions discrimination and antisemitism. The outcome could impact hundreds of millions in federal research dollars for the targeted schools.

The details

In letters sent to the schools, the DOJ's top civil rights official, Harmeet K. Dhillon, said the investigations 'will focus on possible race discrimination in medical school admissions.' The schools have until April 24 to provide seven years of detailed admissions data, including students' race, MCAT scores, home addresses, and more. The DOJ is also seeking information on the schools' diversity and inclusion policies.

  • The DOJ sent the data request letters on March 26, 2026.
  • The schools have until April 24, 2026 to comply with the DOJ's data demands.

The players

Harmeet K. Dhillon

The Department of Justice's top civil rights official who is leading the investigations into the medical schools.

UC San Diego

One of the California medical schools being investigated by the Trump DOJ for alleged racial discrimination in admissions.

Stanford University

One of the California medical schools being investigated by the Trump DOJ for alleged racial discrimination in admissions.

Ohio State University

One of the medical schools being investigated by the Trump DOJ for alleged racial discrimination in admissions.

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What they’re saying

“We did this yesterday. Among other things!”

— Harmeet K. Dhillon

“We're committed to fair processes in all of our programs and activities, including admissions, consistent with federal and state anti-discrimination laws.”

— Laura Margoni, UC San Diego spokesperson

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

— Cecilia Arradaza, Stanford spokesperson

What’s next

The schools have until April 24, 2026 to comply with the DOJ's data demands. Failure to do so could result in the loss of hundreds of millions in federal research funding.

The takeaway

This investigation is the latest in a series of conflicts between the Trump administration and California universities over allegations of discrimination. The outcome could have major financial implications for the targeted medical schools and set a precedent for how the federal government scrutinizes admissions practices at elite institutions.