Connect with us

INTERNACIONAL

DOJ investigating George Mason University’s hiring practices over alleged discrimination

Published

on


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

The Justice Department is investigating whether George Mason University (GMU) engaged in discriminatory hiring practices. According to the department, it is focused on determining whether GMU violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin.

Advertisement

«It is unlawful and un-American to deny equal access to employment opportunities on the basis of race and sex,» Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said in a statement. «When employers screen out qualified candidates from the hiring process, they not only erode trust in our public institutions—they violate the law, and the Justice Department will investigate accordingly.»

Statue of George Mason on campus of George Mason University, Fairfax, Va. (Robert Knopes/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

DOJ INVESTIGATING MINNESOTA HIRING PRACTICES IN LATEST CLASH WITH WALZ

Advertisement

In a letter to GMU Board of Visitors Rector Charles «Cully» Stimson, Dhillon wrote that the DOJ has «reason to believe» that race and sex were used as «motivating factors in faculty hiring decisions» under GMU President Gregory Washington.

Dhillon stated that on July 23, 2020, Washington emailed a GMU faculty listserv in which he said he planned to create a process for «renewal promotion and tenure» that would benefit «faculty of color and women.» Furthermore, Washington allegedly also said in the email that he aimed to «develop specific mechanisms in the promotion and tenure process that recognize the invisible and uncredited emotional labor that people of color expend to learn, teach, discover, and work on campus.»

«I have authorized a full investigation to determine whether GMU is engaged in a pattern or practice of discrimination as set forth above. We have not reached any conclusions about the subject matter of the investigation,» Dhillon wrote.

Advertisement
GMU President Gregory Washington

Dr. Gregory Washington, the new President of George Mason University, holds an introductory press conference in Fairfax, Va. ( Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA PRESIDENT RESIGNS AMID PRESSURE FROM TRUMP ADMIN OVER DEI INITIATIVES

The investigation into GMU comes just weeks after University of Virginia President James Ryan resigned due to pressure from the Trump administration.

«To make a long story short, I am inclined to fight for what I believe in, and I believe deeply in this University. But I cannot make a unilateral decision to fight the federal government in order to save my own job. To do so would not only be quixotic but appear selfish and self-centered to the hundreds of employees who would lose their jobs, the researchers who would lose their funding, and the hundreds of students who could lose financial aid or have their visas withheld,» Ryan wrote in a statement.

Advertisement
GMU student protesting at Education Department

George Mason University student Illia Sheikholeslami holds signs during the «Hands Off Our Schools» rally in front of the U.S. Department of Education on April 4, 2025, in Washington, D.C.  (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images)

The Trump administration has made tacking diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, particularly in government and educational institutions, a priority. As part of the DEI crackdown, the Education Department launched the «End DEI» Portal in February 2025. It allows parents, students, teachers and even concerned citizens to submit reports on what they believe to be DEI in publicly funded K-12 schools.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

President Donald Trump has issued multiple executive orders aimed at ending DEI. This includes «Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing» and «Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.»

Advertisement

Fox News Digital contacted Mike Fragoso of Torridon Law PLLC, who is handling inquiries on behalf of George Mason University, but did not get a response in time for publication.

Advertisement

INTERNACIONAL

La Universidad de Harvard busca recuperar miles de millones de dólares por los recortes de fondos impuestos por Donald Trump

Published

on


La Universidad de Harvard compareció este lunes ante un tribunal federal en un caso crucial en su batalla con la administración de Trump, argumentando que el gobierno recortó ilegalmente 2.600 millones de dólares en fondos federales.

La administración del presidente Donald Trump ha castigado a la universidad más antigua y rica del país con sanciones durante meses mientras presiona una serie de demandas sobre la escuela a la que denuncia como un semillero de liberalismo y antisemitismo.

Advertisement

Harvard ha resistido, y la demanda sobre los recortes a sus subvenciones de investigación representa el principal desafío a la administración en un enfrentamiento que está siendo ampliamente observado en la educación superior y más allá.

Un abogado de Harvard, Steven Lehotsky, declaró en la audiencia del lunes que el caso trata sobre el intento del gobierno de controlar el “funcionamiento interno” de Harvard. Los recortes de fondos, si no se revierten, podrían llevar a la pérdida de investigaciones, carreras dañadas y el cierre de laboratorios, afirmó.

El caso está ante la jueza Allison Burroughs, quien está a cargo de las demandas presentadas por Harvard contra los esfuerzos de la administración para impedir que albergue a estudiantes internacionales. En ese caso, ella bloqueó temporalmente los esfuerzos de la administración.

Advertisement

En la audiencia del lunes, Harvard le pide que revierta una serie de congelaciones de fondos. Tal fallo, si se mantiene, reviviría la vasta operación de investigación científica y médica de Harvard y cientos de proyectos que perdieron dinero federal.

Un abogado del gobierno, Michael Velchik, indicó que el gobierno tiene autoridad para cancelar subvenciones de investigación cuando una institución no cumple con las directivas del presidente. Señaló que episodios en Harvard violaron la orden de Trump de combatir el antisemitismo.

Miembros del grupo de exalumnos de Harvard «Crimson Courage» se manifiestan frente al Tribunal Federal John Joseph Moakley en Boston, Massachusetts. Foto EFE

La jueza cuestiona la base de los hallazgos del gobierno sobre antisemitismo

Advertisement

Burroughs respondió, cuestionando cómo el gobierno podría tomar decisiones “ad hoc” para cancelar subvenciones y hacerlo en todo Harvard sin ofrecer evidencia de que alguna de las investigaciones sea antisemita.

También argumentó que el gobierno no había proporcionado “ninguna documentación, ningún procedimiento” para “dilucidar” si los administradores de Harvard “han tomado suficientes medidas o no” para combatir el antisemitismo.

“Las consecuencias de eso en términos de derecho constitucional son asombrosas”, sostuvo. «No creo que se pueda justificar una acción contractual basada en la supresión inadmisible de la libertad de expresión. ¿Dónde me equivoco?”.

Advertisement

Velchik aseveró que el caso se reduce al derecho del gobierno de decidir cómo gastar mejor miles de millones de dólares en fondos de investigación.

“Harvard afirma que el gobierno es anti-Harvard. Rechazo eso”, afirmó Velchik. “El gobierno está a favor de los estudiantes judíos de Harvard, el gobierno está a favor de los profesores judíos de Harvard”.

La demanda de Harvard acusa a la administración de Trump de llevar a cabo una campaña de represalias contra la universidad después de que rechazara una serie de demandas en una carta del 11 de abril de un grupo de trabajo federal sobre antisemitismo. Una segunda demanda sobre los recortes presentada por la Asociación Estadounidense de Profesores Universitarios y su capítulo de profesores de Harvard se ha consolidado con la de la universidad.

Advertisement
El presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, saluda mientras camina hacia el Marine One por el Jardín Sur de la Casa Blanca en Washington. Foto EFEEl presidente estadounidense, Donald Trump, saluda mientras camina hacia el Marine One por el Jardín Sur de la Casa Blanca en Washington. Foto EFE

La carta de abril exigía cambios radicales relacionados con las protestas en el campus, los académicos y las admisiones. Por ejemplo, la carta le decía a Harvard que auditara los puntos de vista de los estudiantes y profesores y admitiera a más estudiantes o contratara nuevos profesores si se encontraba que el campus carecía de diversidad de puntos de vista.

El presidente de Harvard, Alan Garber, ha dicho que la universidad ha tomado medidas para combatir el antisemitismo, pero afirmó que ningún gobierno “debería dictar lo que las universidades privadas pueden enseñar, a quién pueden admitir y contratar, y qué áreas de estudio e investigación pueden seguir”.

La campaña de presión de Trump ha involucrado una serie de sanciones

El mismo día que Harvard rechazó las demandas, los funcionarios de Trump se movieron para congelar 2.200 millones de dólares en subvenciones de investigación. La secretaria de Educación, Linda McMahon, declaró en mayo que Harvard ya no sería elegible para nuevas subvenciones, y semanas después la administración comenzó a cancelar contratos con Harvard.

Advertisement

Mientras Harvard luchaba contra la congelación de fondos en los tribunales, agencias individuales comenzaron a enviar cartas anunciando que las subvenciones estaban siendo terminadas. Citaron una cláusula que permite desechar las subvenciones si ya no se alinean con las políticas gubernamentales.

Harvard, que tiene el mayor fondo de dotación del país con 53.000 millones de dólares, ha comenzado a autofinanciar algunas de sus investigaciones, pero advirtió que no puede absorber el costo total de los recortes federales.

En documentos judiciales, la escuela apunta que el gobierno “no explica cómo la terminación de fondos para investigaciones para tratar el cáncer, apoyar a los veteranos y mejorar la seguridad nacional aborda el antisemitismo”.

Advertisement

La administración de Trump niega que los recortes se hayan hecho en represalia, diciendo que las subvenciones estaban bajo revisión incluso antes de que se enviara la carta en abril. Argumenta que el gobierno tiene amplia discreción para cancelar contratos por razones de política.

La financiación de investigaciones es solo un frente en la lucha de Harvard con el gobierno federal. La administración de Trump también ha intentado impedir que la escuela albergue a estudiantes extranjeros, y Trump ha amenazado con revocarle su estatus de exención de impuestos.

Finalmente, el mes pasado, la administración de Trump emitió formalmente un hallazgo de que la escuela toleraba el antisemitismo, un paso que eventualmente podría poner en peligro toda la financiación federal de Harvard, incluidos los préstamos o subvenciones federales para estudiantes. La penalización se refiere típicamente como una “sentencia de muerte”.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

INTERNACIONAL

FBI botched investigation into Hillary Clinton’s emails, declassified documents allege

Published

on


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley released declassified documents related to the FBI’s investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server when she served in the federal government, revealing the FBI reportedly «failed to fully investigate» the matter. 

Advertisement

«This document shows an extreme lack of effort and due diligence in the FBI’s investigation of former Secretary Clinton’s email usage and mishandling of highly classified information,» Grassley said in a Monday press release.

«Under Comey’s leadership, the FBI failed to perform fundamental investigative work and left key pieces of evidence on the cutting room floor,» he continued. «The Comey FBI’s negligent approach and perhaps intentional lack of effort in the Clinton investigation is a stark contrast to its full-throated investigation of the Trump-Russia collusion hoax, which was based on the uncorroborated and now discredited Steele dossier. Comey’s decision-making process smacks of political infection.» 

Clinton, who served as former President Barack Obama’s secretary of state from 2009 to 2013, was investigated by the FBI over claims she improperly stored or transmitted classified materials on a private email server. The FBI advised the Department of Justice in 2016, ahead of that year’s massive election that pitted Clinton against future President Donald Trump, that Clinton should not face prosecution over the matter.

Advertisement

OBAMA OFFICIALS ADMITTED THEY HAD NO ‘EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE’ OF TRUMP-RUSSIA COLLUSION: HOUSE INTEL TRANSCRIPTS

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley released declassified documents related to the FBI’s investigation into former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s private email server and handling of classified materials.  (Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images)

«Although there is evidence of potential violations of the statutes regarding the handling of classified information, our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case,» then-FBI director James Comey said in a press release. «Prosecutors necessarily weigh a number of factors before bringing charges. There are obvious considerations, like the strength of the evidence, especially regarding intent. Responsible decisions also consider the context of a person’s actions, and how similar situations have been handled in the past.» 

Advertisement

OBAMA OFFICIALS USED DOSSIER TO PROBE, BRIEF TRUMP DESPITE KNOWING IT WAS UNVERIFIED ‘INTERNET RUMOR’

Grassley specifically released declassified materials from the «Clinton annex,» which is an appendix to the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General’s 2018 report that reviewed the DOJ and FBI’s handling of the Clinton investigation. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and other Trump administration leaders at other agencies, declassified the materials and delivered them to Grassley at his request, his press release reported.

Sen. Chuck Grassley in Washington

Senator Chuck Grassley reported July 21, 2025, that there was an «extreme lack of effort and due diligence in the FBI’s investigation of former Secretary Clinton’s email usage and mishandling of highly classified information.» ( Daniel Heuer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The documents claim that then-FBI Director Comey, as well as other FBI leaders, obtained thumb drives related to their investigation into Clinton, but that the agency failed «to perform additional, targeted searches of the drives,» according to Grassley’s office.

Advertisement

FBI LAUNCHES CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS OF JOHN BRENNAN, JAMES COMEY: DOJ SOURCES

The thumb drives reportedly were never reviewed during the investigation, but «contained highly sensitive information exfiltrated from U.S. government agencies, including the Department of State, as well as then-President Barack Obama’s emails and, potentially, congressional information.»

Hillary Clinton

Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s email server is back on the nation’s radar following Sen. Grassley releasing declassified documents. (Getty Images)

The FBI also obtained intelligence that alleged communications between Florida Democrat Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who served as Democratic National Committee chair until July 2016 when she resigned, and individuals who worked for the Soros Open Society Foundations, which was founded by left-wing billionaire donor George Soros. 

Advertisement

GRASSLEY EXPOSES FBI USE OF BIASED SOURCES IN ANTI-TRADITIONAL CATHOLIC MEMOS UNDER BIDEN ADMINISTRATION

«The intelligence reports alleged that the Obama administration took efforts to scuttle the investigation into Clinton and protect her candidacy,» Grassley’s release reported, but that the FBI at the time did «not make serious investigative efforts» into the intelligence reports. 

James Comey in 2017

James Comey oversaw the FBI amid its investifation into Hillary Clinton’s emails. (Mark Reinstein/Corbis via Getty Images)

Fox News Digital reached out to Clinton’s office, Wasserman Schultz’s office, the Soros Open Society Foundations and the Kettering Foundation, where Comey currently works as a senior fellow, for comment on Grassley’s release, but did not immediately receive replies. 

Advertisement

«I warned years ago that the Clinton investigation failed to hit the mark, and I’m grateful the American people can finally see the facts for themselves,» Grassley said in the press release. «After nearly a decade in the shadows, this information is now coming to light thanks to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel’s dedicated efforts to fulfill my congressional request. 

«I appreciate their ongoing commitment to transparency and strongly urge them to continue to fully review this matter, including its national security impact,» he said.

DNI Tulsi Gabbard revealed Obama-era officials allegedly "manufactured and <u>politicized intelligence"</u> to create the narrative that Russia was attempting to influence the 2016 presidential election.

DNI Tulsi Gabbard revealed Obama-era officials allegedly «manufactured and politicized intelligence» to create the narrative that Russia was attempting to influence the 2016 presidential election. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

Grassley’s release follows Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard’s bombshell claims that Obama-era officials reportedly «manufactured and politicized intelligence» to create the narrative that Russia was attempting to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Advertisement

Gabbard released unclassified documents Friday that reportedly show «overwhelming evidence» that then-President Obama and his national security team laid the groundwork for what would be the yearslong Trump-Russia collusion probe after Trump’s election win against Clinton in 2016. 

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

«Their goal was to usurp President Trump and subvert the will of the American people,» Gabbard had posted to X on Friday regarding the criminal referral. «No matter how powerful, every person involved in this conspiracy must be investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The integrity of our democratic republic depends on it. We are turning over all documents to the DOJ for criminal referral.» 

Advertisement

Fox News confirmed earlier Monday that the DOJ received Gabbard’s criminal referral related to the matter but did not share additional comment.  

Continue Reading

INTERNACIONAL

Iran seeks China, Russia help to stall UN sanctions ahead of nuclear talks with Europeans

Published

on


NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Iran said it will hold talks with Russia and China on Tuesday in an attempt to circumvent U.N. snapback sanctions as the deadline for a nuclear agreement looms. 

Advertisement

«We are in constant consultation with these two countries to prevent activation of the snapback or to mitigate its consequences,» Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said during a Monday press briefing, reported Iran International. «We have aligned positions and good relations.»

Both China and Russia are signatories of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), an agreement that seemingly failed to end Iran’s nuclear ambitions following the U.S. withdrawal from the deal under the first Trump presidency in 2018 and the subsequent nuclear advances Tehran made. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stands with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, before a meeting regarding the Iranian nuclear issue on March 14, 2025, in Beijing.  (Pool via Reuters)

Advertisement

IRAN VOWS RETALIATION IF UN SECURITY COUNCIL ISSUES SNAPBACK SANCTIONS ON ANNIVERSARY OF NUCLEAR DEAL

The news of the impending meeting comes one week after France, Germany and the U.K. announced they would enforce snapback sanctions on Tehran if it fails to enter into a new nuclear agreement by the end of August. 

What would need to be included in a new nuclear deal remains unclear and Iran has not yet renewed nuclear negotiations with the U.S. after Washington levied significant strikes against its top atomic facilities last month in coordination with Israel. 

Advertisement

The snapback mechanism was reserved under the JCPOA and allows any signatory of the agreement to recall stiff international sanctions on Iran to be enforced by all 15 members of the United Nations Security Council – including Russia and China – if Tehran is determined to have violated the terms of the 2015 deal. 

Since the first Trump presidency, the U.S. has threatened the use of snapback sanctions, though Washington can no longer call for the re-implementation of the economic tool as it left the agreement – a decision determined by the U.N. and the other JCPOA signatories. 

UN Security Council after Iran calls an emergency session

The Security Council meets at United Nations headquarters on June 13, 2025, in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

IRAN FACES AUGUST DEADLINE TO ACCEPT COMPREHENSIVE NUCLEAR DEAL OR FACE RENEWED UN SANCTIONS

Advertisement

But top D.C. officials, like Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have continued to encourage European allies to use this tool to push Iran to cease nuclear development. 

Iran is also set to hold talks with France, Germany and the U.K. – an alliance also known as the E3 – this Friday, though the window to secure a new nuclear deal is closing despite years of repeated attempts.

«Snapback at the UNSC remains, not just the Trump administration’s, but the international community’s most powerful political and diplomatic tool against the Islamic Republic of Iran’s nuclear program,» Behnam Ben Taleblu, Iranian expert and senior director of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies’ Iran program, told Fox News Digital.

Advertisement

«Snapback and a restoration of older, tougher UNSC resolutions that contain arms export prohibitions, missile testing prohibitions, as well as a panel of experts to monitor sanctions compliance, will actually magnify the political and military dividends that the U.S. and Israeli strikes have given,» he added.

Iran ballistic missile stands next to image of Iran's leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

A banner depicting Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is placed next to a ballistic missile in Baharestan Square in Tehran, Iran, on Sept. 26, 2024. (Hossein Beris/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Security experts have been sounding the alarm for months that it will take roughly six weeks for U.N. sanctions to be enforced, largely due to procedural reasons, and the ability to enforce snapback sanctions under JCPOA terms will expire on Oct. 18.

Advertisement

Ben Taleblu also warned that these intense sanctions on Iran could instigate further security threats to the West when it comes to Tehran’s nuclear program, as it could prompt Iran to leave other major international nuclear agreements like the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).


Continue Reading

LO MAS LEIDO

Tendencias