AG Bondi launches probe into DEI admissions policies at California universities
Attorney General Pam Bondi has initiated compliance review investigations into the admissions policies of Stanford University and several University of California schools. The Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division will be leading the investigation, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies at Stanford, University of California, Berkeley, UCLA, and University of California, Irvine.
This move comes after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President & Fellow of Harvard Coll., which prohibits colleges and universities from using DEI discrimination in their admissions process. Bondi stated, “President Trump and I are committed to ending illegal discrimination and restoring merit-based opportunities for all students in America. Every student deserves to be judged based on their hard work, intellect, and character, not on the color of their skin.”
The DOJ is demanding compliance from these institutions, emphasizing the importance of fair and equal treatment for all applicants. The practice of prioritizing racial quotas over equality of opportunity has been a longstanding issue in elite colleges and universities, according to the DOJ.
In response to these investigations, the Trump administration has filed an emergency Supreme Court appeal to potentially cut hundreds of millions of dollars in grants from the Education Department. Additionally, some Virginia colleges have already taken steps to align with Trump’s executive order directives by cutting their DEI departments and initiatives.
The DOJ argues that the previous administration allowed and even encouraged the illegal practice of using race as a determining factor in admissions, ultimately discriminating against certain groups of applicants. Acting Associate Attorney General Chad Mizelle stated, “The Department of Justice is committed to ending this discriminatory practice and ensuring that every college and university upholds equality under the law.”
These compliance investigations mark just the beginning of the DOJ’s efforts to eliminate illegal DEI practices in higher education institutions. The department is dedicated to protecting equality and ensuring that all students have a fair chance at admission based on their abilities and qualifications.
In conclusion, the DOJ’s actions underscore the importance of fair and unbiased admissions processes in higher education. By investigating and eliminating illegal DEI practices, the department is working towards creating a level playing field for all students.
