WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump’s administration has targeted more universities over issues like race and diversity in admissions and pro-Palestinian protests, marking the federal government’s latest crackdown against US schools.

The Department of Justice alleged admissions practices at Duke University School of Law were biased in favour of Black and Hispanic applicants, citing findings of a federal probe.

The DOJ alleged the law school “emphasised racial diversity in admissions” and that “a Black or Hispanic applicant has a substantially higher likelihood of admission to Duke Law than a white or Asian applicant with the same academic credentials.” The DOJ said it sought a voluntary resolution agreement.

“Duke is committed to complying with the law and will continue to do so in a manner that is consistent with our academic mission,” the university said, adding it was reviewing a DOJ letter.

The DOJ alleged the same this year about admissions practices in medical schools at the University of California and Yale. The schools said their practices were rooted in merit.

Trump, who casts diversity goals as anti-merit and discriminatory against white people and men, has signed orders to dismantle them. Rights advocates say diversity practices address historic inequities for marginalized groups.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2026