Harvard slammed as report says Jewish students were spat on, taunted with pro-Nazi chants amid inaction

CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS: According to a bombshell new report released by the Donald Trump administration, Jewish students at Harvard say they’ve been spat on, stalked, and even taunted with chants of “Heil Hitler” — all while the Ivy League giant allegedly turned a blind eye or worse, actively enabled the chaos.
The 57-page report dropped Monday, June 30, from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) after they held more than 50 “listening sessions” with over 500 Jewish students.
They reportedly complained about being targeted just for wearing yarmulkes, pushed out of public spaces, and harassed by anti-Israel protesters. “A pattern of unlawful and unchecked discrimination” is how the report described the situation.
The HHS concluded that Harvard may have been either “deliberately indifferent” or even a “willful participant” in fostering an environment where antisemitism has run wild since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.
Campus fear over antisemitism 'went unheeded' by Harvard administration
The report painted a chilling picture of what it’s been like for Jewish students post–October 7.
According to HHS’s internal sessions, more than 25% of Jewish students said they felt physically unsafe on campus, nearly 60% said they faced “discrimination, stereotyping, or negative bias," and about 75% admitted they felt uncomfortable even sharing their political opinions.
A group of Jewish students has filed a lawsuit against Harvard, saying they literally avoid public spaces to dodge abuse. One student said he was stalked and heckled by anti-Israel protesters. Another claimed to be physically assaulted by two grad students during a demonstration.
Then there’s the vandalism. In one grotesque example from last October, the Star of David on the Israeli flag at Harvard’s Hillel center was replaced with swastika stickers, the New York Post reported.
According to the report, these incidents “went unheeded” by the administration.
Feds slam Harvard with a legal wake-up call
Harvard President Alan Garber was served a notice of violation from the HHS Office for Civil Rights, warning that the university is officially breaching federal civil rights laws — and that its federal funding could soon vanish.
The letter declared, “Failure to institute adequate changes immediately will result in the loss of all federal financial resources and continue to affect Harvard’s relationship with the federal government.”
To put it in perspective, HHS says it alone has funneled nearly $800 million into Harvard since 2023. But if their list of demands is not met, the university would risk $256 million in federal contracts and another $8.7 billion in multi-year grant commitments.
This comes on the heels of an intense months-long clash between Harvard and Trump’s administration — a standoff that led to the latter signing a proclamation earlier this month banning international students from entering the US to study at Harvard.
“When a university refuses to uphold its legal obligations, including its recordkeeping and reporting obligations, the consequences ripple far beyond the campus,” the proclamation read, declaring that it was in the “national interest” to block foreign nationals from Harvard until the mess is cleaned up.
Harvard defends itself, says it's 'far from indifferent on issue' of antisemitism
Shortly after the presidential proclamation, a federal judge stepped in with a preliminary injunction to stop the administration from yanking Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification — for now.
Still, Trump hinted that peace talks might be in the works. “We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so,” he posted on Truth Social on June 21. “They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right.”
But the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism isn’t backing off, especially since Monday’s report was a serious escalation.
Harvard has tried to defend itself, saying in a statement that the university “has taken substantive, proactive steps to address the root causes of antisemitism in its community.”
“In responding to the government’s investigation, Harvard not only shared its comprehensive and retrospective Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias Report but also outlined the ways that it has strengthened policies, disciplined those who violate them, encouraged civil discourse, and promoted open, respectful dialogue,” it continued.
“Harvard is far from indifferent on this issue,” the school insisted. “And strongly disagrees with the government’s findings.”
Harvard faces backlash as HHS unveils report on antisemitism faced by students
Regardless, the public backlash against the Ivy League university has been fierce.
One wrote, “WOW, what a shame @Harvard,” and another fumed, “This is why not 1 single cent of taxpayer funds should go to them!”
A person expressed, “Doesn’t seem like Harvard is willing to comply. They think they’re above the Constitution,” while someone else added, “There’s no question Harvard violated Title VI and it must be held accountable!”
“ARREST them!” another raged.
"I remember as a high schooler dreaming of going to Harvard because of its reputation. Now I would never let my children or future grandchildren go there. They’ve done generational damage to their reputation," one more wrote.
Jewish Harvard students spit on, heckled with ‘heil Hitler’ while university turned a blind eye, shock Trump admin report says. This is why not 1 single cent of taxpayer funds should go to them! https://t.co/9mlsLK15U0
— Madeline Rivera (@Madelin41144812) June 30, 2025
Doesn’t seem like Harvard is willing to comply. They think they’re above the Constitution.
— Jean (@queens_parents) June 30, 2025
Harvard normalized antisemitism on its campus.
— Erika Donalds (@ErikaDonalds) June 30, 2025
Jewish students have been spit on, assaulted, and heckled with despicable chants of ‘heil Hitler’.
There's no question Harvard violated Title VI and it must be held accountable! pic.twitter.com/pYzkmi3koY
I remember as a high schooler dreaming of going to Harvard because of its reputation. Now I would never let my children or future grandchildren go there. They’ve done generational damage to their reputation…..
— The Great Gats🐝 (@Gardyloo_Alert) June 30, 2025
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