Trump Administration Launches Investigations Into Race in Medical School Admissions

Probes target Stanford, Ohio State, and UC San Diego medical schools

Mar. 27, 2026 at 2:18am

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The Trump administration has opened investigations into how race is considered in admissions at three medical schools - 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, continuing the administration's scrutiny of affirmative action policies at colleges and universities.

Why it matters

The investigations are part of the Trump administration's broader campaign against what it sees as liberal bias and illegal discrimination in higher education admissions. The administration has previously targeted undergraduate admissions at selective colleges, and this latest move signals an expansion of its efforts to challenge the consideration of race in the admissions process.

The details

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has opened formal investigations into the three medical schools, requesting a wide range of documents and data related to their use of race in evaluating applicants. The schools have been given deadlines to provide the requested information, which includes details on standardized test scores, race and ethnicity data, and admissions decisions dating back to 2019.

  • The investigations were opened on March 26, 2026.

The players

Trump Administration

The administration of former President Donald Trump, which has taken an aggressive stance against the use of affirmative action in college admissions.

Justice Department

The U.S. Department of Justice, which has opened the investigations into the medical schools' admissions practices.

Harmeet Dhillon

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

Stanford University School of Medicine

One of the three medical schools targeted by the Justice Department investigations.

Ohio State University

One of the three medical schools targeted by the Justice Department investigations.

University of California, San Diego

One of the three medical schools targeted by the Justice Department investigations.

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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 medical schools have been given deadlines to provide the requested information to the Justice Department. The outcome of the investigations could have significant implications for the use of affirmative action in higher education admissions.

The takeaway

The Trump administration's investigations into race-conscious admissions at these medical schools are the latest salvo in its broader campaign against what it views as unlawful discrimination in college and university admissions. The probes underscore the ongoing debate over the role of affirmative action in higher education and the potential for further legal challenges to these policies.