US launches unit to target DEI policies at colleges with civil fraud probes

[highplainsdem]

Source: Reuters

The United States announced on Monday the formation of a new unit that will crack down on federally-funded universities that have diversity, equity and inclusion policies using a civil anti-fraud law, the Justice Department said in a memo.

The creation of the "Civil Rights Fraud Initiative" marks the latest escalation by the administration of President Donald Trump against colleges and universities that it has claimed are pushing antisemitic, anti-American, Marxist and "radical left" ideologies.

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The False Claims Act is a federal civil law that allows the government to recover funds lost due to fraud. Private citizens can also use it to sue on the government's behalf and can become eligible to receive a portion of the recovered proceeds.

Last week, the New York Times reported that the Trump administration had launched a False Claims Act inquiry into whether Harvard's admission policies comply with a Supreme Court ruling that ended affirmative action.

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Read more: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/society-equity/us-launches-unit-target-dei-policies-colleges-with-civil-fraud-probes-2025-05-20/