Judge Weighs EEOC Subpoena Seeking List of Jews at Penn in Antisemitism Probe
A federal judge in Philadelphia is set to hear the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s bid to enforce a subpoena demanding that the University of Pennsylvania turn over the names of numerous Jewish people on campus as part of a Trump‑administration investigation into alleged antisemitic harassment tied partly to Gaza war protests. Penn has refused, calling the demand unconstitutional and "disconcerting," and Jewish student and faculty groups have joined the case, arguing that a government‑compiled list of Jews echoes historical abuses in Nazi‑era Europe and makes them feel less safe. The EEOC contends the data is needed to probe possible discrimination and harassment, but the university and its allies say the request is overbroad and targets people based on religion rather than specific incidents. The dispute comes after the administration previously froze $175 million in federal funding to Penn in a separate clash over a transgender swimmer, underscoring an aggressive posture toward elite universities it views as hostile. Civil-rights lawyers and commentators are watching closely because the ruling could shape how far federal agencies can go in forcing schools to identify members of religious or ethnic groups during campus hate and discrimination investigations.
📌 Key Facts
- The EEOC has asked U.S. District Judge Gerald J. Pappert in Philadelphia to enforce a subpoena ordering the University of Pennsylvania to provide names of many Jewish people on campus.
- Penn has refused to comply, calling the Trump administration’s demand unconstitutional and "disconcerting," and Jewish groups including the Jewish Law Students Association have formally opposed the subpoena.
- The inquiry is part of a federal investigation into alleged antisemitic harassment and related incidents at Penn, including around Gaza war protests, and follows a separate episode in which the administration paused $175 million in federal funding to Penn over a transgender athlete dispute.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2024, the Anti-Defamation League recorded 8,873 antisemitic incidents in the United States, a 140% increase from 2023, with 1,352 incidents occurring on college campuses, many related to anti-Israel protests following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack.
At the University of Pennsylvania, approximately 11% of undergraduate students identify as Jewish, totaling around 1,100 Jewish students out of about 10,000 undergraduates in 2025.
The University of Pennsylvania is about 11% Jewish, according to Hillel International — Jewish Exponent (via Facebook, but source references Hillel data)
A 2025 survey by Penn Hillel found that 85% of Jewish student respondents at the University of Pennsylvania reported experiencing, hearing about, or witnessing something antisemitic on campus.
Penn Hillel shares results of student survey on Jewish campus experiences — The Daily Pennsylvanian
The U.S. Department of Education opened over 100 investigations into antisemitism at universities following the October 7, 2023, attacks, with incidents surging by 477% on campuses in 2024 according to some reports.
Surge in antisemitism investigations at US universities after October 7 attacks — The Guardian
The EEOC subpoena to the University of Pennsylvania requests names of employees who complained about antisemitism, membership lists of Jewish employee groups, and contact information for Jewish faculty and staff, as part of investigating potential workplace discrimination.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
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