President Donald J. Trump announced today that he is initiating a formal legal and public inquiry into the Harvard Law Review, alleging that the prestigious academic journal engages in discriminatory practices based on race in its selection of editors and publication decisions.
Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate, stated that the effort is part of a broader initiative to "end race-based favoritism in elite academic institutions." The former president is working with legal advocacy groups and conservative think tanks to investigate whether the Harvard Law Review’s selection criteria violate federal anti-discrimination laws and constitutional equal protection principles.
“We’re exposing the truth,” said Trump. “No one should be excluded or given preference because of race—especially not in our top universities. Merit must come first.”
The Harvard Law Review, one of the most influential legal journals in the world, selects its editors through a combination of academic performance and a writing competition. Critics, including Trump and his allies, allege that additional selection considerations—such as race-conscious diversity policies—may constitute unlawful affirmative action in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against race-based admissions.
Legal experts say the probe could test the boundaries of how far civil rights laws extend into private student-run organizations operating within larger institutions.
A spokesperson for Harvard University declined immediate comment but reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to "diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of academic life."
The Trump team says it is preparing Freedom of Information Act requests, legal filings, and potential civil complaints to seek transparency and accountability.