The Trump administration is now directing its attention toward Duke University, investigating claims of racial discrimination at several key institutions, including the Duke Law Journal, the School of Medicine, and Duke Health.
On Monday, the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights launched an investigation into whether the Duke Law Journal favored minority applicants. The inquiry references a “tip sheet” reportedly encouraging applicants from underrepresented backgrounds to highlight their racial or marginalized status in personal statements.
That same day, Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. issued a letter urging Duke University to establish a six-month “Merit and Civil Rights Committee”. The committee’s purpose would be to investigate claims of race-based discrimination at Duke Health.
They cited potential violations of Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the Affordable Care Act, accusing Duke Health of using race-based criteria in hiring, admissions, scholarships, mentoring, and promotions. These actions, they warned, could disqualify Duke Health from receiving any further federal funding.
“Federal funding must be tied to merit, not race,” said Kennedy. He added, “Secretary McMahon and I are asking Duke to seriously address these concerns by forming a Merit and Civil Rights Committee to work with the government in upholding civil rights standards.”
The letter sent to Duke’s leadership — including President Vincent Price, Board Chair Adam Silver, and Medical School Dean Mary Klotman — gave the university 10 days to respond.
Separately, the DOE’s investigation into the Duke Law Journal stems from a June 30 article in the Washington Free Beacon. The report claims the journal encouraged minority applicants to reference their identity and experiences with underrepresented groups to gain an edge during the application process.
A “Tips & Tricks” document was allegedly shared only with affinity groups within the law school — groups generally centered around race, ethnicity, and sexuality — and suggested applicants could boost their chances by showing how they would contribute to diversity in legal scholarship.
The Washington Times has reached out to Duke for an official comment.
This move follows a similar April probe into Harvard University and the Harvard Law Review, also examining claims of racial bias. The actions are in line with President Trump’s broader efforts to eliminate racial preferences in education, guided by executive orders like “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.”
Under Title VI, institutions receiving federal funds are prohibited from engaging in discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.
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