DOJ drops appeal of order blocking $1.2-billion UCLA settlement - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Jaweed Kaleem

February 14, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has abandoned its appeal in a high-profile case involving a $1.2-billion settlement proposal aimed at UCLA over alleged civil rights violations. The Trump administration, which initially sought to overturn a federal judge's decision blocking the settlement, filed a motion to dismiss the appeal with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. This move follows a November court ruling that stalled both the fine and the controversial settlement terms proposed by the government. The settlement proposal, unveiled in August 2023, demanded sweeping changes at UCLA, including bans on diversity-related scholarships, restrictions on foreign student enrollment, and declarations that transgender individuals do not exist. It also sought to limit free speech protections and grant unfettered access to university personnel data for federal agencies. These demands were met with strong opposition from UC system workers who had sued to prevent the changes. The government justified the proposal by claiming UCLA violated civil rights laws through its admissions policies, recognition of transgender identities, and handling of antisemitism complaints during pro-Palestinian protests. UCLA maintained that it adhered to legal standards in all areas under scrutiny. The university argued that the proposed settlement terms were coercive and inconsistent with federal law. In response to the DOJ's appeal, UC faculty groups and unions celebrated the decision as a significant victory, ensuring that the Trump administration cannot impose its ideological agenda on the institution through civil rights laws or federal funding threats. The modified injunction now allows voluntary resolutions of civil rights investigations but prohibits coercion by the government in its negotiations with UCLA. This adjustment reflects ongoing efforts to balance federal authority with state and institutional autonomy, particularly regarding free speech and state rights under the 10th Amendment. The case will continue to be litigated in district court, where it is currently in the discovery phase. This legal battle highlights broader tensions between federal policies targeting higher education institutions perceived as too focused on

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/14/2026