The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has begun an investigation into Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) following allegations of anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination against Jewish students. The probe, announced on August 7, 2025, focuses on whether BCPS violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded educational programs.
The investigation was prompted by a complaint alleging that BCPS tolerated repeated incidents of anti-Semitic behavior by both teachers and non-Jewish students. According to the complaint, these incidents include Nazi-inspired gestures and language directed at Jewish students.
“The allegations that Baltimore City Public Schools tolerate virulent Nazi-inspired anti-Semitic harassment of its Jewish students is at once appalling and infuriating. When a teacher allegedly directs a Nazi salute toward a Jewish student, or non-Jewish students harass their Jewish contemporaries by saying ‘all Jews should die,’ we are not simply talking about contemptible bullying; we are talking about a shocking abdication of educator responsibility that constitutes unlawful anti-Semitic harassment under Title VI,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. “If true, these allegations confirm a disturbing trend: too many of our nation’s educational institutions are failing American students by inculcating in them a loathing for their own country and fellow citizens and a tolerance and acceptance for a deeply destructive ancient hatred. The Trump-McMahon Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights will vigorously investigate this matter and ensure American Jewish students can learn and flourish in an environment free from unlawful discrimination.”
The complaint describes several examples of alleged misconduct. It states that BCPS continued to employ a teacher who threatened to “go all Nazi” on his students and made Nazi salutes toward a Jewish student even after an internal investigation confirmed the incident occurred. The school district reportedly did not discipline the teacher involved.
Other reported incidents include non-Jewish students performing Nazi salutes on playgrounds, drawing Nazi symbols on desks and textbooks, and making threatening statements such as “6 million [Jews] was not enough,” “all Jews should die,” and “we should call Hamas and have them come here.” These actions have led some Jewish students to feel unsafe at school.
Title VI is designed to protect individuals from discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in schools receiving federal funding.
