DOJ Investigates George Mason University Over Alleged Hiring Discrimination
President Donald Trump’s Department of Justice is investigating whether George Mason University (GMU) violated the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with its hiring practices. The DOJ is examining whether the university’s faculty hiring decisions were influenced by race and sex, as alleged in recent claims. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the legal and ethical implications of such actions, stating that they not only violate statutes but also undermine public trust in educational institutions.
The investigation, which targets University of Virginia President James Ryan’s resignation under pressure from the Trump administration, reflects a broader trend of executive action against diversity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The DOJ has not yet made any definitive judgments, but the inquiry into GMU’s practices is part of a larger effort to scrutinize DEI programs. Dhillon pointed to an email from GMU President Gregory Washington in July 2020, in which Washington expressed ambitions to create a process benefiting ‘faculty of color and women,’ while also acknowledging the burden of ‘invisible and uncredited emotional labor’ on people of color.
The Trump administration has made DEI policies a target for reform, with the release of executive orders such as ‘Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing’ and ‘Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.’ These actions were compounded by the launch of the ‘End DEI’ Portal, which invites the public to report suspected DEI practices in K-12 schools, as reported by Fox News. The ongoing probes into GMU and the University of Virginia highlight the growing tensions between federal agencies and educational institutions over the role and effectiveness of DEI initiatives.
Despite the DOJ’s assertions, George Mason University and the broader academic community remain unresponsive, as Fox News Digital was unable to contact legal counsel Mike Fragoso of Torridon Law PLLC, who represents the university. The situation continues to unfold, with both institutions facing reputational and legal scrutiny over their practices and policy implementations.