A professor from Northwestern University has initiated a federal lawsuit claiming the university denied him tenure due to pressure from federal officials, in retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism and campus engagement. Steven Thrasher, an assistant professor and Daniel H. Renberg Chair of social justice in reporting, has accused the university of breaching his employment contract and violating his academic freedom. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, also cites discrimination based on sexual orientation, race, and his Palestinian associations, alongside retaliation against his First Amendment-protected speech.
The lawsuit additionally names several U.S. officials, including U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, and Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Court documents reveal that Thrasher faced internal disciplinary investigations and a suspension following his involvement in on-campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas War in 2024.
According to the filings, Thrasher participated in a 2024 student-led encampment, offering a speech supporting Palestinians and joining other faculty in a human chain to protect students from university police. The lawsuit alleges these actions, coupled with federal pressure, led to disciplinary measures, denial of tenure, and impending termination. Originally appointed to his chair in 2019, Thrasher’s work focused on LGBTQ and social justice issues.
“It feels empowering to stand up and declare these actions illegal and unconstitutional,” Thrasher told the Tribune. He emphasized the lawsuit’s aim to combat what he perceives as unlawful treatment.
The lawsuit claims that Northwestern and federal officials worked together to undermine Thrasher’s academic career as part of broader political efforts. After extensive investigations into university protests, including Thrasher’s role, a suspension interrupted his teaching duties from July 2024. Multiple disciplinary procedures followed, culminating in an initial dismissal of allegations in early 2025, but additional inquiries and accusations persisted.
On March 12, 2025, Thrasher was informed of his denied promotion and tenure, which the lawsuit argues was in violation of due process rights. Despite attempts to appeal the decision, he faced continued obstacles, including being barred from teaching in the 2025-26 academic year.
According to the suit, Thrasher must conclude his duties at Northwestern by August 31, based on tenure denial policies. His lawsuit suggests he has been marginalized from academia, facing financial and reputational harm. Thrasher seeks compensation, reinstatement in a tenured position, or financial equivalent. The suit also aims to secure measures preventing similar faculty dismissals and censorship.
By contesting the 2025 agreement between Northwestern and the government over antisemitism allegations, the lawsuit additionally challenges the university’s actions threatening academic freedom.
Northwestern has opted not to comment on the ongoing litigation. Thrasher hopes his case may set a precedent on issues of discrimination tied to political expression, advocating for an academic environment where personal identity does not dictate punitive outcomes.
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