Trump Administration Sues Harvard Over Admissions Probe

Lawsuit alleges university failed to comply with federal investigation into use of race in admissions process.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The Trump administration has filed a lawsuit against Harvard University, accusing the school of failing to comply with a federal investigation into whether it illegally considered race in its admissions process. The move comes weeks after President Trump said his administration was seeking $1 billion from Harvard to settle probes into school policies.

Why it matters

This lawsuit is the latest development in an ongoing dispute between the Trump administration and Harvard over issues of campus diversity, equity, and inclusion. The case could have significant implications for the future of affirmative action in college admissions, following a 2023 Supreme Court decision that race-conscious admissions programs are unconstitutional.

The details

The Justice Department alleges that Harvard has "repeatedly slow-walked the pace of production and refused to produce pertinent data and documents," including admissions policies and correspondence related to diversity programs. The lawsuit seeks to compel Harvard to provide these documents to help assess the university's compliance with the Supreme Court's 2023 ruling.

  • On February 13, 2026, the Trump administration filed the lawsuit against Harvard in Boston federal court.
  • Less than two weeks prior, President Trump said his administration was seeking $1 billion from Harvard to settle probes into school policies.

The players

Trump administration

The executive branch of the U.S. federal government under former President Donald Trump, which is now suing Harvard University over its admissions practices.

Harvard University

The Ivy League institution accused by the Trump administration of failing to comply with a federal investigation into whether it illegally considered race in its admissions process.

U.S. Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, which in 2023 ruled that race-conscious college admissions programs are unconstitutional.

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What’s next

The case will now proceed through the federal court system, with Harvard likely to mount a vigorous legal defense against the Trump administration's allegations.

The takeaway

This lawsuit underscores the ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and higher education institutions over issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion, particularly in the wake of the Supreme Court's landmark 2023 decision on race-conscious admissions policies.