A federal task force said it is reviewing recent protest at the University of Washington as “antisemitic violence.”
SEATTLE — Three federal agencies are reviewing Monday night’s protests at the University of Washington (UW) as incidents of what the agencies call “antisemitic violence.”
More than 30 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested overnight after breaking into an engineering building on the campus. They demanded the university cut ties with Boeing because of the company’s defense contracts with the military, specifically what is being used to support the Israel Defense Forces.
The University of Washington said over 30 people were arrested, 21 of whom were students. UW has suspended and banned those students from all campuses, according to Victor Balta, the assistant vice president for communications and UW spokesperson. The remaining protesters have also been banned from all campuses.
On Tuesday night, the Departments of Education, Health and Human Service (HHS) and the U.S. General Services Administration announced they will review the incidents through the Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism.
The task force said it “appreciates the university’s strong statement condemning last night’s violence and applauds the quick action by law enforcement officers to remove violent criminals from the university campus.”
It also said UW “must do more” to stop future incidents and to ensure Jewish students have a “safe and productive learning environment.”
The protesters occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, which received a $10 million donation from Boeing. UW confirmed protesters blocked access to two streets outside the building, blocked building entrances and exits, ignited fires in two dumpsters outside and caused damage inside.
UW estimates the damage to equipment inside the building could exceed $1 million.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the HHS secretary, alluded to a loss of funding for the university if policy changes and enforcement are not implemented.
“No institution that tolerates violence, harassment, or the open intimidation of Jewish students should expect to receive billions in taxpayer support,” he said. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about whether a federally funded university is upholding the law, protecting civil rights, and fostering a safe environment for all students.”
In recent weeks, Columbia University and Harvard University have been at odds with the Trump administration over the handling of student activism against the war in Gaza.
The Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funding from Columbia because it did not stop student protests and blocked $2 billion in federal grants from Harvard, according to the Associated Press. This follows President Donald Trump’s executive order to combat antisemitism.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the protesters’ “destructive behavior is unacceptable.”
“The violence and chaos that ensued on University of Washington’s campus is yet another horrifying display of the antisemitic harassment and lawlessness which has characterized many of our nation’s elite campuses over the last several years,” McMahon said. “The Task Force will not allow these so-called ‘protesters’ to disrupt campus life and deprive students, especially Jewish students who live in fear on campus, of their equal opportunity protections and civil rights.”
University responds
On Wednesday, UW responded to the Trump administration’s review, saying the university condemns antisemitism, harassment and discrimination.
“The University values its long-standing partnership with the federal government,” said Balta, the UW spokesperson. “We will cooperate with the Task Force’s review and are confident that an evaluation will find we are in compliance with federal civil rights laws.”
Balta said the university was in contact with Jewish community leaders in Seattle during the May 5 protest and that it fully complies with federal civil rights laws, and Title VI requirements.
“We also recognize the need to continually improve and have for many months been taking concrete actions to improve the campus climate for Jewish students, faculty, staff and visitors,” Balta said.
UW has created a full-time Title VI coordinator role, which includes trainings on preventing ancestry discrimination, reviewing university policies, and maintaining relationships with the Jewish community, among other efforts.
As for the protesters demand, for the university to cut ties with Boeing, the Board of Regents rejected a proposal to divest from companies with ties to Israel in March, Balta said.
Board of Regents respond
Also on Wednesday, the University of Washington Board of Regents held a regularly scheduled meeting.
The agenda did not include any protest or disciplinary-related items, but the board chair opened by discussing Monday’s incident.
“On behalf of the board, I wanted to start by publicly condemning the trespass and occupation of the interdisciplinary engineering building, the vandalism and destruction of UW property and equipment,” said Blaine Tamaki.
He addressed the situation for more than three minutes.
“We support our president and all of her swift actions to remove and arrest these trespassers. We further support and and all appropriate punishment that the law permits,” Tamaki added. “The UW will not stand idly by and let our campus be vandalized or trashed, nor will we have our Jewish students be intimidated in any way.”
Two of the people who registered for public comment addressed the ongoing tension.
“I hope that you can see our fight until the UW is actually willing to support its community through divestment, cutting ties with Boeing, protection of immigrants, decarbonization and workers rights. Or quite simply, justice for all,” said Isaac Olson.
The other individual praised Tamaki for his opening remarks.
“This is a very difficult time. I want to start by thanking chairman Tamaki for his statement that encapsulated what I wish the university said a two years ago,” said Joe Kunzler. “I have to tell you, this has been a very terrifying 48 hours for anyone who cares about UW or has any Jewish friends or relatives.”
KING 5’s Bridget Chavez, Jim Nelson and Kipp Robertson contributed to this story.
