Former DOJ Attorney Alleges Lack of Evidence in Trump Administration University Probes

A former Department of Justice career attorney has filed a whistleblower complaint alleging that the Trump administration's antisemitism probes into U.S. universities lacked factual evidence and had predetermined outcomes. The complaint, made public by Democratic Representative Jamie Raskin, claims that investigations were marked by procedural irregularities and a disregard for free speech rights. According to the complaint, proposals to open similar probes into anti Muslim bias on campuses were not pursued by leadership.

The whistleblower, Haley Van Erem, alleges that some DOJ assignees felt the mandate to interview Middle East studies professors was an attempt to intimidate them based on Islamophobic assumptions. The complaint further states that officials departed from longstanding investigative practices to ensure due process and accuracy. A DOJ spokesperson responded by stating that Van Erem did not work on university investigations and that the department stands behind the integrity of the probes.

These investigations occurred as President Trump targeted universities with funding suspension threats over pro Palestinian protests. Columbia University agreed to pay over $200 million to resolve federal probes, and Brown University reached a settlement in 2025 to pay $50 million. Harvard University has not reached a deal, describing the probes as retaliatory actions against its independence.

Outlets with a center lean focused on the specific legal allegations and the DOJ's official denial. In contrast, an outlet with a left lean framed the event as a misuse of power used to limit campus speech and activism related to Israel.