The US Department of Education has launched new probes into five medical schools over their admissions practices, marking the latest attempt by President Donald Trump’s administration to crack down on diversity initiatives. The Education Department’s office for civil rights launched probes against the Dartmouth College Geisel School of Medicine, East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine, St. Louis University School of Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, and William Carey University College of Osteopathic Medicine.

Investigations and Responses

East Carolina University told local media it complied with state and federal law as well as court rulings and that it would respond accordingly to the Education Department. Dartmouth College also said it remained confident in its admissions practices. The Trump administration has targeted universities with probes and federal funding suspension threats over a range of issues, including pro-Palestinian protests, diversity initiatives, transgender policies, and climate programs.

Civil rights advocates say diversity practices help address historic inequities for marginalized groups like women, the LGBT community, and ethnic minorities. The Supreme Court rejected affirmative action at colleges and universities in 2023 when it struck down race-conscious admissions programs at Harvard University and the University of North Carolina.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.