Trump Administration Launches Federal Probe Into UC Berkeley Law Admissions
The DOJ and Education Department are investigating UC Berkeley Law over alleged bias in admissions, marking a new push against university diversity programs.
POLICY WIRE — Berkeley, USA — Federal authorities from the Justice and Education Departments launched a joint investigation on Wednesday, accusing the University of California, Berkeley School of Law of utilizing admissions practices that intentionally favor Black applicants while disadvantaging white and Asian candidates.
This inquiry represents the latest move by the Trump administration to challenge diversity-focused initiatives within the American higher education landscape. Officials allege that the law school utilizes race, specific essay prompts, and other strategic methods to advance its diversity objectives.
According to the administration’s findings, data from Berkeley Law reveals a significant disparity in outcomes. The government claims that in 2025, Black applicants were 5.8 times more likely to be admitted than white candidates with comparable profiles.
Enrollment statistics from October 2025 show that out of 1,128 total students, 516 were white, 293 were Asian, and 51 were Black. The Department of Justice has indicated it is currently pursuing a voluntary resolution agreement with the institution.
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Erwin Chemerinsky, dean of the law school, rejected the allegations on Wednesday. He maintained that the school’s admissions policy is clear that race is not considered in any way in admissions decisions.
The university’s central administration stated it intends to provide ample evidence to prove full compliance with all applicable laws and regulations governing student admissions. This investigation follows the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that invalidated race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard and the University of North Carolina.
President Trump has consistently characterized diversity measures as discriminatory and detrimental to merit-based systems. His administration has expanded its oversight of universities, including inquiries into campus protests, climate change policies, and transgender rights, sparking concerns among critics regarding academic freedom and due process.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
