America First Legal Urges DOJ Investigation into Alleged Discrimination at Johns Hopkins University Medical School

America First Legal (AFL) has just filed a civil rights complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice. They’re urging the DOJ to investigate Johns Hopkins University for its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices, especially in the School of Medicine. The complaint asserts that the university’s actions have led to unfair treatment in admissions, scholarships, faculty hiring, and more.

At the heart of the issue is the claim that Johns Hopkins is breaking the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and other federal laws. As a leading medical institution, Johns Hopkins has a unique responsibility to uphold fairness. Instead, they have created a DEI framework that prioritizes race, gender, and other characteristics in every aspect of medical education.

The complaint raises a red flag about the university’s vague language around DEI. Terms like “inclusive excellence” hide policies that favor certain racial and ethnic groups, often at the expense of those who don’t fit these categories.

One notable point in the complaint refers to how Johns Hopkins appears to sidestep a recent Supreme Court ruling on race-based admissions. Instead of eliminating this strategy, they seem to have restructured their recruitment to achieve specific demographic goals before the admissions process even begins. This systematic approach raises concerns about their commitment to fairness and merit.

Megan Redshaw, a counsel for AFL, argues that Johns Hopkins has created a misleading structure around a fundamentally unfair process. She stresses that in medicine, where lives are on the line, the focus should always be on qualifications and skills.

AFL’s investigation points out several examples of this alleged discrimination, including:

• The Diversity Leadership Council, which channels policies based on race and gender.
• The House Staff Diversity and Inclusion Council, which offers special treatment to certain groups in residency programs.
• Various mentorship programs like Diversity University that provide tailor-made admissions support based on race and gender.

Redshaw states, “Using DEI to discriminate isn’t just wrong; it’s dangerous. In medicine, objectivity is vital. Lives can depend on it.”

This situation is part of a larger debate over DEI practices in education and beyond. Recent surveys show that many Americans are divided on the issue, with some viewing DEI as vital for equity, while others see it as a form of reverse discrimination.

As this case unfolds, it highlights the importance of fairness in education and its implications for healthcare. For more details on this developing story, you can read the full complaint here.

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