Anti-Semitism under investigation in the US – focus on steps taken by Trump and Biden

The US Commission on Civil Rights has launched a comprehensive investigation into the federal government's response to allegations of anti-Semitism at universities. The aim is to examine the actions of Donald Trump's administration, which allegedly put pressure on universities and threatened them with the loss of state funding.

The investigation will seek to determine whether such actions exceeded the legal framework and interfered with the independence of academic institutions.

The commission, which consists of four Democrats, three Republicans, and one independent member, voted unanimously to launch the investigation—even before Donald Trump took office in January of this year. In addition to reviewing the steps taken by his administration, the broader government response to anti-Semitism since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023 will also be examined.

The commission has already asked universities, including Columbia and Minnesota, to submit extensive communications with federal agencies. Critics see this as an unprecedented intrusion into confidential documents. Public hearings of witnesses are also planned as part of the investigation.

Democratic members emphasize that the aim is to ensure government accountability, regardless of political leadership.

(reuters, max)