President Donald Trump’s administration suffered another legal setback Monday after a federal judge dismissed its lawsuit seeking additional admissions records from Harvard University as part of an investigation into whether the Ivy League institution continues to use race-based admissions practices.
U.S. District Judge Myong Joun ruled that the Justice Department had failed to establish that it followed the necessary procedural steps before asking the court to compel Harvard to turn over the requested information.
The ruling represents another defeat in the administration’s ongoing legal battle with Harvard, although the judge left the door open for federal officials to revive the case.
According to The Hill, the administration sought detailed admissions records to determine whether Harvard was complying with the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision restricting the use of race in college admissions.
Federal officials accused the university of withholding information necessary to determine whether its admissions policies violate federal civil rights law.
However, Joun emphasized that his decision addressed procedural requirements rather than the underlying allegations against Harvard.
“The ruling does not determine whether Harvard has discriminated, whether the agencies may lawfully seek appropriately defined applicant-level data, or whether Harvard may ultimately be required to provide such data,” Joun wrote.
Justice Department Vows to Continue Fight
Despite the dismissal, the Trump administration quickly signaled that it had no intention of abandoning its investigation.
A Justice Department spokesperson told The Hill that the government would file an amended complaint and continue pursuing the requested admissions records.
“The Court dismissed the case without prejudice on a narrow pleading question and invited the United States to amend. We will do exactly that,” the spokesperson said.
“Nothing in the ruling changes the core problem: Harvard continues to refuse to provide the admissions information it is required to produce as a recipient of federal funds under Title VI,” the spokesperson added.
The department maintained that Harvard’s receipt of federal funding carries legal obligations, including compliance with federal civil rights requirements.
Harvard, meanwhile, has argued that it already provided substantial admissions information before the administration filed its lawsuit.
Another Chapter in Trump’s Harvard Showdown
The dismissal adds to a series of courtroom setbacks for the Trump administration in its broader confrontation with Harvard.
Previous administration efforts to restrict federal funding and revoke the university’s ability to enroll international students also encountered legal obstacles.
Still, Monday’s ruling does not resolve whether Harvard has violated federal civil rights law.
Joun dismissed the lawsuit without prejudice, meaning the government can potentially return to court after addressing the procedural deficiencies identified in his decision.
“Because the deficiency may be cured by additional administrative steps or by an adequately supported pleading identifying compliance with the applicable prerequisites, dismissal without prejudice is appropriate,” the judge wrote.
The Justice Department has pledged to do precisely that, setting the stage for another round in the administration’s continuing legal battle with one of the nation’s most prominent universities.
