KJZZ Covers Federal Scrutiny Following AIM’s Arizona State Investigation
June 3, 2026
Trump administration opens DEI investigation into Arizona State University
KJZZ | By Wayne Schutsky
Published June 3, 2026 at 3:30 PM MST
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating claims that Arizona State University is illegally discriminating against some students by operating surreptitious diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
In a press release, the DOJ said the Title VI investigation was prompted by viral videos “indicating ASU denied equal treatment to students based on race, color, or national origin — while attempting to hide its discriminatory practices from federal scrutiny.”
The department’s Civil Rights Division will look at whether ASU discriminated against any students through “DEI policies in admissions, recruitment, scholarships, tutoring, and the provision of educational support.”
The announcement comes months after Accuracy in Media, a conservative watchdog group, published secretly recorded videos of ASU employees discussing DEI programs at the university.
The State Press reported that those recordings, made by operatives using hidden cameras, showed faculty members from the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions talking about ways they continue to promote inclusivity while following rules designed to block DEI policies.
Accuracy in Media accused the university of violating Trump administration directives attacking diversity, equity and inclusion programs and newly adopted Arizona Board of Regents policies.