August 18, 2026 · Constitutional Order & Rule of Law
· Whistleblower allegation
Disputed
Former Civil Rights Lawyer Alleges the Antisemitism Investigations of Harvard, Brown and Columbia Had Predetermined Outcomes
Rep. Jamie Raskin made public on Aug. 18, 2026 a whistleblower complaint from Haley Van Erem, a longtime Justice Department Civil Rights Division attorney, alleging that DOJ and HHS leadership pressed career staff to issue adverse antisemitism findings against Harvard, Columbia and Brown without a sufficient factual or legal basis. Her attorneys wrote that 'the outcomes of the investigations were predetermined, without regard to the evidence.'
The complaint, filed with the DOJ and HHS inspectors general and the Office of Special Counsel, goes to whether civil rights enforcement became leverage against universities.
A Justice Department spokesperson denied the allegations and said Van Erem 'did not work on university investigations.' Brown said its settlement followed no finding of fault. It surfaced days after a judge dismissed DOJ's suit against Harvard.
The complaint, filed with the DOJ and HHS inspectors general and the Office of Special Counsel, goes to whether civil rights enforcement became leverage against universities.
A Justice Department spokesperson denied the allegations and said Van Erem 'did not work on university investigations.' Brown said its settlement followed no finding of fault. It surfaced days after a judge dismissed DOJ's suit against Harvard.