DOJ Probes Controversial Hiring Procedures at University of California

President Trump’s DOJ is cracking down on the woke agenda at one of America’s largest university systems. The Department of Justice has launched an investigation into the University of California for potentially illegal race and sex-based discrimination in faculty hiring practices.

At a glance:

• Trump’s DOJ is investigating the University of California system for illegal discrimination in faculty hiring

• The probe targets UC’s “2030 Capacity Plan” which aims to increase faculty diversity

• Justice Department alleges the plan may violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

• UC’s fellowship programs appear to fast-track women and minorities into faculty positions

• The university system receives over $17 billion in federal funding annually

Trump Administration Takes Action Against Discriminatory Hiring

The Department of Justice under President Trump has launched an investigation into the University of California system over potential illegal discrimination in its faculty hiring practices. The probe specifically targets UC’s “2030 Capacity Plan,” which aims to increase student enrollment and add 1,100 tenure-track faculty with an emphasis on diversity goals.

Federal investigators are examining whether UC’s diversity initiatives violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by implementing race and sex-based quotas in faculty hiring. The university system, which receives over $17 billion in federal funding annually, initiated the program in 2022 explicitly to enhance racial and gender diversity.

Identity-based hiring is not only wrong — it is illegal!

The @CivilRights is investigating alleged serious violations of equal opportunity in employment by the UC system. Public employers ignore our civil rights laws at their peril.

https://t.co/IJ7KjHEdgS pic.twitter.com/ISIagmA1JM

— AAGHarmeetDhillon (@AAGDhillon) June 26, 2025

Fellowship Programs Under Scrutiny

At the center of the investigation are two controversial programs: the UC President’s Pre-Professoriate Fellowship Program and the UC President’s Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. These initiatives appear designed to fast-track women and minorities into faculty positions throughout the university system.

The Pre-Professoriate Fellowship specifically targets “historically underrepresented” students from California Hispanic Serving Institutions. Recipients receive generous benefits including a $37,000 stipend, paid tuition and fees, and a $10,000 professional development grant.

Justice Department Opens Investigation into the University of California System for Race- and Sex-Based Employment Practiceshttps://t.co/RIgVmoZuW2 pic.twitter.com/IstH04y29E

— DOJ Civil Rights Division (@CivilRights) June 26, 2025

Concerns have emerged about these programs creating inappropriate incentives for departments to hire fellowship recipients regardless of departmental needs. A UCLA professor noted a troubling decline in the quality of scholars participating in the fellowship program over time.

Broader Crackdown on Discriminatory Practices

This investigation represents part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to challenge controversial diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in educational institutions. The Justice Department has previously accused UCLA, UC Berkeley, and UC Irvine of using illegal DEI practices in their admissions processes.

UC officials maintain they comply with Proposition 209, which bans consideration of race in public education and hiring in California. However, the university system still faces a lawsuit from Students Against Racial Discrimination for allegedly continuing race-conscious admissions practices.

The DOJ’s investigation could have far-reaching implications for higher education nationwide. Officials are scrutinizing whether academic institutions are using taxpayer dollars to fund discriminatory practices that give unfair advantages based on race and gender rather than merit.