WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The Trump administration has widened its investigation into Yale University over claims that its admissions policies may violate federal anti-discrimination laws. The move marks a major step in the administration’s effort to enforce the Supreme Court ruling that ended race-conscious admissions at colleges and universities.
The Justice Department first focused on the Yale School of Medicine. However, the investigation now reaches much further. According to people familiar with the matter, federal officials are also reviewing admissions practices at Yale College and Yale Law School. As a result, the inquiry now covers some of the university’s most well-known academic programs.
At the same time, Yale has started settlement talks with the federal government. The university hopes to avoid a long legal dispute. People with knowledge of the discussions said Yale recently submitted a proposal to federal officials. However, the current status of those talks remains unclear.
The people spoke on the condition of anonymity because the discussions remain private. They also said the investigation reflects the administration’s broader effort to reshape higher education and increase oversight of admissions policies.
Last month, the Justice Department accused Yale’s medical school of giving illegal preference to Black and Hispanic applicants during the admissions process. The department argued that the practice may violate federal anti-discrimination laws. So far, officials have not publicly released detailed evidence beyond a six-page letter issued in May.
That letter outlined an analysis of admissions testing data. It also referred to an internal Yale presentation that federal officials believed suggested the university still considered diversity in admissions decisions. Even so, the administration has not shared additional findings with the public.
Meanwhile, Yale has defended its admissions process. The university referred to a statement it released last month after the Justice Department announced its concerns. In that statement, Yale said its medical school follows a rigorous admissions process. The university also said admitted students demonstrate strong academic performance and a deep commitment to service.
On Friday, Yale declined to comment further and instead pointed to its earlier statement. Likewise, the Justice Department and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.
The investigation highlights the Trump administration’s aggressive approach to enforcing the Supreme Court’s landmark decision from 2023. That ruling effectively ended the use of race-conscious admissions in higher education across the United States. Since then, federal officials have increased pressure on colleges to ensure that race does not influence admissions decisions.
In recent months, the administration has expanded its focus on several elite universities. Officials have argued that some schools continue to give unlawful consideration to race despite the court’s decision. Consequently, federal agencies have launched investigations and taken other actions against institutions they believe may be violating the law.
Until now, Yale had avoided the level of scrutiny that some other prestigious universities have faced. For example, Harvard University has been involved in a high-profile legal battle with the Trump administration over similar issues. Yale now appears eager to avoid a comparable conflict by seeking a negotiated agreement before the investigation moves further.
The outcome of the Yale case could influence how colleges across the country approach admissions in the future. Universities continue to adjust their policies after the Supreme Court ruling. At the same time, federal officials have signaled that they plan to monitor compliance with anti-discrimination laws closely.
