Stefanik and Comer Launch Antisemitism Probe into Harvard University

Harvard University is facing new scrutiny from Congress as Reps. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) and James Comer (R-Ky.) announced a formal House Oversight investigation into the school’s handling of antisemitism, admissions practices, and its controversial DEI policies. The move follows Harvard’s rejection of the Trump administration’s conditions to restore over $2.2 billion in frozen federal funding.

Stefanik and Comer, both high-ranking Republican leaders, sent a letter Thursday to interim Harvard President Alan Garber, demanding records related to antisemitic incidents on campus, communications regarding foreign students who support terrorism or antisemitic ideologies, and internal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

“Harvard is apparently so unable or unwilling to prevent unlawful discrimination,” the letter reads, “that the institution, at your direction, is refusing to enter into a reasonable settlement agreement proposed by federal officials intended to put Harvard back in compliance with the law.”

The lawmakers argue that Harvard may be in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits federally funded programs from discriminating based on race, color, or national origin. They added that if Harvard wishes to retain its independence in these matters, it should relinquish federal assistance altogether.

“If Harvard... does not wish to comply with this basic legal obligation, the proper avenue for achieving this is simple: do not take federal financial assistance,” they wrote.

Harvard President Alan Garber pushed back in an open letter earlier this week, defending the university’s autonomy. He claimed the administration’s demands including viewpoint diversity in hiring and structural reforms to what it called “ideologically captured” departments violated First Amendment rights and overstepped federal authority under Title VI.

“No government, regardless of which party is in power, should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” Garber stated.

In response, the administration has frozen Harvard’s federal funding and is considering further actions, including revoking the university’s tax-exempt status a dramatic step that could reshape the federal relationship with private higher education.

The probe reflects growing bipartisan concern over how elite institutions handle antisemitism and ideological discrimination, especially in the wake of rising campus hostility toward Jewish students and Israel.

As investigations unfold, the message from Washington is clear: universities cannot shield themselves behind prestige while ignoring the rights of their students or the law.

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