The US Department of Justice has taken legal action against Harvard University, accusing it of non-compliance with a federal investigation into alleged racial discrimination in admissions. This latest development in Donald Trump's ongoing legal pursuit of the nation's oldest university comes as a surprise, given Harvard's previous statements of cooperation. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Massachusetts, alleges that Harvard has failed to provide documents, including applicant-level admissions data, for over 10 months. The Department of Justice claims Harvard has obstructed the investigation, and has repeatedly extended deadlines for document production. Harvard has responded by asserting its commitment to following the law and complying with civil rights laws, but has also vowed to defend itself against what it sees as retaliatory actions by the Trump administration. This is not the first time Harvard has been at odds with the Trump administration, which has previously threatened to withhold funding and attempted to block international students from enrolling. The lawsuit has sparked debate, with some arguing that Harvard should protect personal applicant data from federal government retaliation, while others question the administration's motives and the potential impact on academic freedom.
