Trump Administration Demands Universities Reveal Jewish Employees' Private Data
The Trump administration is demanding that universities hand over lists of Jewish employees and students. The University of Pennsylvania has already been ordered to release sensitive personal data, including private email addresses, phone numbers, and home addresses. Critics warn that such lists risk echoing dark historical precedents and could endanger those named if misused.
The move comes amid broader accusations from the administration that universities are failing to protect Jewish staff and students from discrimination. But legal challenges are now underway, questioning whether the demand for this data is even lawful.
The push for these records began as part of the administration's campaign against alleged antisemitism on campuses. Officials claim universities have not done enough to shield Jewish individuals from bias. However, the primary aim appears to be pressuring institutions rather than targeting Jewish people directly.
The University of Pennsylvania has been compelled to disclose private details of its employees, sparking outrage. Jewish organizations have strongly condemned the data collection, arguing it could put lives at risk if the information falls into the wrong hands. Comparisons to Nazi-era practices have added to the alarm. Johannes Thimm, deputy head of the America Research Division at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP) in Berlin, offered context in an interview with Katharina Brierley. His work examines how domestic politics shape U.S. foreign policy and its ties to global organizations. Thimm noted that while the administration frames this as an antisemitism crackdown, the broader strategy seems aimed at exerting control over universities. Legal experts are now scrutinising the demand's validity. Courts will decide whether the government can lawfully compel such disclosures—or if the order oversteps constitutional boundaries.
The controversy has left universities in a difficult position, caught between compliance and ethical concerns. Jewish groups continue to resist the data requests, fearing the potential consequences of exposing private information. Meanwhile, the legal battle over the administration's demands will determine how far such measures can go.
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