DOJ Investigates California Universities Over Race-Based Admissions Policies

Following the Supreme Court's ban on race-based admissions, the DOJ's probes of four major California universities underscore a push for merit-based admissions, emphasizing a return to fairness and equality in higher education.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated investigations into four esteemed California institutions—Stanford University and the University of California campuses at Berkeley, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Irvine (UCI)—over allegations that they continue to use race as a criterion in their admissions processes, which contradicts the Supreme Court’s recent ruling that prohibits affirmative action in higher education.

In a statement released publicly, Attorney General Pam Bondi articulated the Trump administration's commitment to reinstating merit-based admissions across the United States. She declared, "President Trump and I are dedicated to eradicating illegal discrimination and reinstating merit-based opportunities nationwide. Every student in America should be evaluated solely on their hard work, intellect, and character, rather than their skin color."

The Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard definitively opposed race-based admissions, leading the DOJ to demand that educational institutions comply with the ruling. Acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle warned that “every college and university must recognize that any illegal discrimination in admissions will be thoroughly investigated and eradicated.”

Greg Burt, vice president of the California Family Council, commended the federal government's action, alleging that universities have perpetuated "reverse discrimination." He observed that some institutions may have attempted to bypass the law, asserting that these investigations could help restore a culture based on fairness and meritocratic principles.

“Rather than fostering true equality,” Burt stated, “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies often segregate students by race and breed resentment instead of promoting unity.” With the Trump administration ramping up its efforts against race-based protocols, these investigations herald a significant shift back to merit-first admissions—serving as a clear warning to any university looking to bypass the rule of law.