Whistleblower alleges political pressure, lack of evidence in antisemitism probes targeting schools

A former Justice Department lawyer alleges that a Trump administration task force aimed at combating antisemitism pressured Ivy League universities into settlements, despite investigations that were rushed and lacked sufficient evidence. The lawyer claims that the investigations were predetermined, disregarding legal standards and the Constitution, and were used as a pretext to extract money and funding freezes.

The whistleblower, identified as Haley Van Erem, left the Justice Department in May 2025 due to her belief that she was being targeted in politically motivated investigations. Rep. Jamie Raskin, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, has publicly criticized the "fake" investigation, stating that it was politically motivated and aimed at harassing professors and administrators at major universities, as well as stripping targeted institutions of millions in grant funding.