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DOJ Lawyer Files Complaint Over Trump Antisemitism Settlements

8/19/2026

Summary

Story summary

A whistleblower complaint filed by Department of Justice lawyer Haley Van Erem in May 2025 alleges that the antisemitism task force of the U.S. President Donald Trump administration pushed settlements with Harvard, Brown and Columbia despite incomplete investigations.
Brown agreed to pay $50 million and Columbia $200 million to end investigations and restore federal funding, respectively.
Harvard officials discussed settlement terms and funding freezes before any Title VI violation.

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Story summary

A whistleblower complaint filed by Department of Justice lawyer Haley Van Erem in May 2025 alleges that the antisemitism task force of the U.S. President Donald Trump administration pushed settlements with Harvard, Brown and Columbia despite incomplete investigations.
Brown agreed to pay $50 million and Columbia $200 million to end investigations and restore federal funding, respectively.
Harvard officials discussed settlement terms and funding freezes before any Title VI violation.