Sat Sep 13 09:03:19 UTC 2025: **UC Berkeley Provides Names of Faculty and Students to Trump Administration Amidst Anti-Semitism Investigation**
Berkeley, CA – The University of California, Berkeley has confirmed it provided the names of over 150 faculty, staff, and students to the Trump administration as part of a federal investigation into alleged anti-Semitism on college campuses. The move, prompted by a demand for documentation from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, has sparked controversy and comparisons to the McCarthy era.
University officials stated they are legally obligated to comply with such requests while also committed to protecting the privacy of its community members. The investigation stems from allegations that universities fostered anti-Semitism during pro-Palestinian student protests last spring, with the Trump administration threatening funding cuts.
Critics argue the government is wrongly equating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism and suppressing pro-Palestinian activism. A graduate student, speaking anonymously, alleged the targeted individuals appear to be primarily Muslim and Arab who have voiced support for Palestine.
Feminist philosopher Judith Butler, who is Jewish and a critic of Israeli policy, was among those named. She condemned the university’s compliance, likening it to McCarthy-era tactics and a breach of trust. “Forwarding such names… may well subject a number of faculty, staff, or students named to widespread surveillance,” Butler stated in a letter.
The Trump administration has settled similar investigations with Columbia University and Brown University, resulting in substantial payments and acceptance of government demands. Settlement talks with Harvard University are ongoing. However, the administration has faced pushback, including Governor Gavin Newsom rejecting a $1 billion settlement offer related to UCLA as an “extortion attempt.”
While rights advocates acknowledge a rise in both anti-Semitism and Islamophobia since October 7, 2023, the Trump administration has not announced equivalent probes into anti-Arab bias or Islamophobia. The investigation raises concerns about free speech, academic freedom, and the potential for political targeting of individuals expressing dissenting views on Israeli policy.
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