DOJ Launches Investigation Into California Universities For Any Potential ‘Illegal’ DEI Admissions Policies

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating the admissions policies of four California universities as part of its effort to crack down on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). 

The DOJ announced Thursday that it will conduct compliance review investigations into the potential use of DEI in college admissions, according to a press release. The DOJ Civil Rights Division will look into Stanford University, the University of California, Berkeley, the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, Irvine for any use of DEI quotas in their admissions.

The U.S. Supreme Court decided in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College in 2023 that universities may not use affirmative action standards when accepting students. This decision came after the Students for Fair Admissions accused Harvard University of discriminating against Asian students.

The investigations against California universities are “just the beginning” of the DOJ’s efforts to eradicate DEI, according to the press release.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi Launches Compliance Review Investigation into Admissions Policies at Stanford University and Several University of California Schools, Advancing President Trump’s Mandate to End Illegal DEI Policieshttps://t.co/7AZmn1s5Aw

— U.S. Department of Justice (@TheJusticeDept) March 27, 2025

“President Trump and I are dedicated to ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunity across the country,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said. “Every student in America deserves to be judged solely based on their hard work, intellect, and character, not the color of their skin.”

The Biden administration promoted the advancement of ideas behind “illegal” DEI standards, according to the Trump DOJ. (RELATED: Biden DOJ Poured Over $100,000,000 Into ‘Restorative Justice,’ DEI Efforts For K-12 Students, New Report Finds)

“The Department of Justice will put an end to a shameful system in which someone’s race matters more than their ability,” said Acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle said. “Every college and university should know that illegal discrimination in admissions will be investigated and eliminated.”  

The DOJ said Mar. 21 that it’s investigating a Rhode Island school district for alleged discrimination against its loan forgiveness program’s white applicants. The Providence Public School District offers an Educator of Color Loan Forgiveness Program open only to full-time teachers who “identify as Asian, Black, Indigenous, Latino, biracial or multi-racial” and have at least $5,000 worth of student loans, according to its website.

The DOJ and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) released a joint technical assistance document on Mar. 19 for employees facing DEI discrimination in the workplace. The document is based on Title VII and advises employees on involving the EEOC in investigations of alleged DEI-related discrimination.