Blumenthal & DeLauro Call on Yale to Reject Settlement With Trump Administration

[WASHINGTON, DC] - Today, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) wrote Yale University President Maurie McInnis requesting records and information regarding the University's ongoing negotiations with the Trump Administration, following reports that Yale has submitted two proposed settlement agreements amid an investigation by the Department of Justice into its admissions process. The lawmakers urged Yale to reject any settlement and warned that capitulating to the Administration's demands would compromise the University's independence.

"Acquiescing to a bully does not make that bully go away, it encourages them to come back for more and to expand their overreach to weaker targets. Yale's settlement here would show the Trump Administration that its tactics are working. It would also send the wrong message to Yale's alumni, its students, and the world," Blumenthal and DeLauro wrote. "What we admire about Yale is exemplified by its own motto, 'Lux et Veritas,' light and truth. That is why we urge Yale, in the strongest possible terms, to consider the lasting consequences of a decision not rooted in light and truth."

The letter follows a roundtable held earlier this month on Yale's campus, where Blumenthal and representatives from DeLauro's office met with Yale students and faculty, including international students, to hear firsthand how a potential settlement could affect them. The roundtable was followed by a press conference at which students, faculty, and Connecticut state and local elected officials called on Yale to reject any deal with the Trump Administration.

The full text of the lawmakers' letter is available here and below.

Dear President McInnis:

We write to express our deep concerns that Yale University ("Yale" or "the University") may be contemplating a settlement with the Trump Administration amidst troubling reports that the University has preemptively submitted two proposed settlement agreements. We are concerned that Yale has taken these steps and that such a storied and admired institution would consider bowing to the authoritarian impulses of the Trump Administration. Capitulating at this critical moment would be a retreat from Yale's independence as a deeply respected educational institution and would raise serious concerns about its compliance with civil rights law. Accordingly, we urge you to take a stand for your students and staff, your alumni, and Yale's legacy and fight this toxic, politicized enforcement action by the Trump Administration. We further request that you provide records and information about Yale's ongoing negotiations with the Trump Administration privately with our delegation.

We have all watched as the Trump Administration has engaged in an unprecedented attack on America's premier educational institutions while at the same time, decimating public education in this country. Some of these institutions have steadfastly resisted these attempts. Indeed, Harvard's ultimate decision to fight similar claims-even when faced with aggressive threats to its research funding demonstrates that rejecting such abusive government overreach is not only possible but sends an important signal to others that might be targeted.

Acquiescing to a bully does not make that bully go away, it encourages them to come back for more and to expand their overreach to weaker targets. Yale's settlement here would show the Trump Administration that its tactics are working. It would also send the wrong message to Yale's alumni, its students, and the world. What we admire about Yale is exemplified by its own motto, "Lux et Veritas," light and truth. That is why we urge Yale, in the strongest possible terms, to consider the lasting consequences of a decision not rooted in light and truth.

Additionally, and to shed light on the troubling actions of the Trump Administration that has led to this point, we request records and information regarding the University's interactions with the Administration since January 20, 2025, regarding Title VI compliance and any recent or ongoing negotiations. This information will be useful to understand the scope of government overreach by this Administration and as we consider potential reforms to Title VI and federal higher education grants and programs.

1. All records referring or relating to any proposed settlement agreement between Yale and any federal agency; including but not limited to all settlement agreement proposals and supporting memoranda.

2. All communications, between Yale and any federal agency (including the Department of Justice and the Department of Education and Department of Justice) concerning compliance with Title VI and/or the possibility of revocation of federal funds from Yale.

3. Has Yale been asked, formally or informally by the Trump Administration, to modify its policies or practices related to admissions, faculty hiring, academic programs, and any program relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion? Please describe the nature of those requests including:

a. Were any of these requested changes framed as conditions for avoiding investigation, enforcement action, litigation, or loss of federal funding?

b. Did any federal officials reference potential financial penalties, settlement amounts, or other consequences in connection with these discussions?

4. Has Yale preemptively made any commitments, policy changes, or personnel decisions, that were made in anticipation of an investigation by the Administration-before discussion began-or directly in response to the Administration's demands?

5. Has the Trump Administration communicated a desire for a settlement agreement, or any consequence for declining to reach such an agreement? Please describe any such statements, who made them, when they were made, and in what form.

6. Has the Trump Administration given any insight as to the consequences of a failure to reach a settlement?

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

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