Wire reporting: (Reuters, via CNBC)

A federal judge in Boston on Monday dismissed a Justice Department lawsuit that sought to compel Harvard University to produce applicant-level admissions records for Title VI reviews, Politico reported, matching a written order filed the same day^1,5.

U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun granted Harvard’s motion to dismiss the amended complaint without prejudice in United States v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, No. 26-10844-MJJ⁵. The opinion says the court decided a limited question: whether the government had adequately shown, at this stage, that it met conditions for judicial enforcement of information demands⁵.

The order states that the ruling does not determine whether Harvard has discriminated, whether the agencies may lawfully seek defined applicant-level data, or whether Harvard may ultimately be required to provide such data⁵. CNBC’s carry of a Reuters report said Joun also noted the department could try again after additional administrative steps².

Politico said the Justice Department sued in February, alleging Harvard had not complied with an admissions investigation, and later added a similar Education Department probe¹. The opinion recites that, after the Supreme Court’s 2023 Students for Fair Admissions decision, DOJ and Education’s Office for Civil Rights opened reviews and requested applicant-level admissions information, including academic measures, race and ethnicity, essays or other records, and outcomes⁵.

Joun, whom Politico identified as a Biden appointee, said the agencies had not shown they followed required procedural steps before suing¹. Politico quoted him: “A deadline and a threat to sue, standing alone, do not necessarily demonstrate compliance” with processes for working with schools to resolve information demands voluntarily¹.

Harvard had argued, Politico reported, that the suit was the latest fight with the White House over admissions records¹. The opinion treats DOJ and Education procedures separately and grants dismissal without prejudice, leaving any later filing to be judged on that later record⁵. Neither Politico’s available text nor the order records an immediate comment from the Justice Department or Harvard^1,5.