“Death to Jews” Chants Ignored by UCLA
Trump’s DOJ slams UCLA for allowing virulent antisemitism to flourish unchecked, finally holding woke university leaders accountable for betraying American values of fairness and safety.
Story Highlights
- DOJ files 81-page lawsuit on February 24, 2026, accusing UCLA of creating a severe hostile work environment for Jewish and Israeli employees under Title VII.
- Post-October 7, 2023, protests featured antisemitic acts like “death to Jews” chants, swastikas, and Jew-excluding encampments ignored by administrators.
- Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant AG Harmeet Dhillon lead the charge, calling out UCLA’s neglect as a mark of shame.
- UCLA’s own Antisemitism Task Force confirmed the hostile environment, yet reforms remain inadequate per DOJ.
- This action signals Trump’s commitment to protecting civil rights against campus radicalism eroding traditional principles.
Lawsuit Details and Allegations
The U.S. Department of Justice filed an 81-page complaint on February 24, 2026, in California’s Central District federal court against the University of California, targeting UCLA specifically. The suit alleges a severe and pervasive hostile work environment for Jewish and Israeli employees. Administrators failed to address complaints after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack sparked protests. Specific incidents include Royce Hall encampments with physical barriers excluding Jews, chants of “death to Jews,” swastikas carved in trees, and graffiti reading “die you fucking Jew.” These acts violated Title VII protections against workplace discrimination.
Timeline of Failures and Federal Response
Protests erupted at UCLA following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Spring 2024 saw tumultuous encampments and antisemitic signage. During the 2023-2024 academic year, UCLA’s Antisemitism Task Force documented a hostile environment for Jewish staff and faculty due to untrained administrators and confusing complaint processes. In March 2025, DOJ launched an investigation into UC workplace antisemitism. Professor Ian Holloway filed an EEOC charge on November 4, 2024, alleging discrimination and retaliation. The EEOC found reasonable cause, prompting the lawsuit.
Key Players and Their Positions
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated UCLA administrators allowed virulent antisemitism to flourish. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon, head of the Civil Rights Division, described the acts as vile and a mark of shame. UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk oversees antisemitism initiatives, while Vice Chancellor Mary Osako claims efforts are working and antisemitism is abhorrent. UC leaders like Michael Milliken defend academic freedom. Jewish employees, including Professor Holloway, seek redress for ignored harassment reports. DOJ leverages federal enforcement to protect these workers from systemic neglect.
Power dynamics pit DOJ’s civil rights mandate against UCLA’s resistance, highlighted by prior $580 million research grant cuts in 2025, partially restored through faculty lawsuits. A federal judge restricted funding threats and Trump officials dropped an appeal in February 2026. UCLA implemented a safety overseer and protest rules, but DOJ deems changes limited.
New: DOJ Targets UC in Lawsuit Over Antisemitism at UCLAhttps://t.co/w32L3e0jrG
— RedState (@RedState) February 24, 2026
Impacts and Broader Significance
Short-term effects include potential court injunctions mandating policy changes and training, alongside litigation delays and funding risks. Long-term, the case could force Title VII compliance across campuses, reshape protest handling, and set precedents for employee antisemitism suits. Jewish and Israeli UCLA staff gain harassment relief, while pro-Palestinian activists face stricter rules. UC researchers endure funding volatility from $1.2 billion prior settlement demands covering antisemitism, affirmative action, and other issues. Socially, it deepens Israel-Palestine divides on campuses, balancing free speech and safety.
Politically, this escalates Trump DOJ’s campaign against woke universities failing to curb radicalism post-Gaza war protests. Unlike prior student-focused probes, this targets employee Title VII violations based on UCLA’s own Task Force findings. It upholds conservative principles of individual liberty and protection from government-enabled harassment, countering leftist overreach that erodes family values and fairness.
Sources:
Justice Department sues over alleged antisemitism at UCLA
Trump sues UC over alleged ‘hostile’ environment for Jewish, Israeli workers at UCLA
DOJ Complaint: US v. University of California
Justice Department Sues University of California Over Antisemitism and Hostile Work Environment
UCLA Ignores ‘Pervasive’ Workplace Antisemitism, DOJ Says
