The Trump administration filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday against the Regents of the University of California, accusing administrators at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) of failing to address antisemitism complaints and permitting what it describes as a hostile work environment for Jewish and Israeli faculty and staff.

The case, lodged in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California as Case No. 2:26-cv-01946, was brought by the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division under Title VII, the federal statute prohibiting workplace discrimination. Government attorneys allege a “severe and pervasive” pattern of antisemitism at UCLA, citing pro-Palestinian protests, including demonstrations earlier this year, that they contend crossed the line into anti-Jewish or anti-Israel conduct.

According to the department, some Jewish and Israeli employees were compelled to take leave, work remotely, or resign due to conditions on campus. The lawsuit stems from a federal workplace investigation opened last March, when officials said they believed there could be a broader pattern of discrimination affecting Jewish employees.

Attorney General Pam Bondi said the department’s findings indicate UCLA administrators allowed “virulent anti-Semitism” to take hold, and she stated the legal action reflects the administration’s broader commitment to combating antisemitism in federally funded institutions.

UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk responded in a university statement that antisemitism has no place at the school and outlined steps taken to address concerns, including restructuring its civil rights office, appointing a dedicated Title VI and Title VII officer, strengthening campus conduct policies, and funding anti-discrimination initiatives under a prior settlement valued at more than $6 million. The university said it will continue defending its actions while maintaining a safe campus environment.

The lawsuit marks an escalation in ongoing disputes between the administration and the University of California system. In August, federal officials sought nearly $1.2 billion to resolve civil rights investigations involving UCLA, including matters related to antisemitism complaints, affirmative action policies, and campus gender identity policies.

Civil liberties advocates have argued that criticism of Israeli government policy or support for Palestinian causes is distinct from anti-Jewish discrimination, pointing to widely cited international definitions that differentiate political speech from antisemitic conduct. The federal court will now determine whether the allegations meet the legal threshold for workplace discrimination under Title.