UCLA Seeks Dismissal of Trump Administration Antisemitism Lawsuit

The University of California, Los Angeles, has asked a federal judge in Los Angeles to dismiss a lawsuit brought by the Trump administration alleging that the university enabled antisemitism against Jewish and Israeli employees following Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel. The Justice Department filed the case in February 2026, accusing the university of failing to address antisemitic conduct on campus.

In a motion filed Monday evening, UCLA acknowledged that some university employees had experienced antisemitism but argued that the government had not established a widespread pattern of deliberate discrimination. The university asked U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder to dismiss the case, arguing that the government's claims overlooked its efforts to combat antisemitism.

The Justice Department's lawsuit alleged that UCLA had neglected complaints from Jewish and Israeli employees and, in some instances, facilitated antisemitic acts. The university disputed the legal basis of the case while acknowledging that antisemitism had affected members of its workforce.

In its filing, UCLA maintained that it had taken action against antisemitism and would continue doing so regardless of the litigation's outcome.

"U.C.L.A. has responded — and will continue to respond — to antisemitism, regardless of the outcome of this lawsuit," the university wrote. "But the legal claims raised in this litigation are flawed for numerous reasons and should be dismissed."

The university argued that the government had failed to demonstrate the systematic, intentional discrimination necessary to support its claims. Its motion also emphasized that the lawsuit did not adequately account for UCLA's efforts in recent years to address antisemitism.

The filing marks UCLA's second attempt in less than a month to have Judge Snyder dismiss a Justice Department lawsuit involving allegations of antisemitism at the university. Snyder was appointed to the federal bench by former President Bill Clinton.

On Sept. 30, UCLA challenged a separate Justice Department lawsuit concerning the treatment of Jewish and Israeli students during campus protests in 2024. That case also centers on allegations that the university failed to protect members of the Jewish and Israeli communities.