The Trump administration's Justice Department has accused UC San Diego's medical school of illegally discriminating against White and Asian applicants by favouring less-qualified Black and Hispanic candidates through an alleged "shadow" review process. The allegations put nearly $1 billion in federal funding to the university at risk and form part of a wider administration push against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies in higher education, particularly in medical training.

The claims stem from a Justice Department Civil Rights Division investigation into the university's admissions practices, which began in March. A similar probe has also targeted UCLA, with lawmakers separately questioning medical school deans in a House committee hearing about whether DEI-driven admissions criteria compromise standards and patient care.