DOJ drops Trump-era lawsuit against Yale claiming discrimination against Asian American and white applicants

• The Justice Department dropped a discrimination lawsuit against Yale on Wednesday.
• Last year, the DOJ accused Yale of discriminating against Asian American and white applicants.
• A Yale spokeswoman said the school is "gratified" that the DOJ dismissed the lawsuit.

The Justice Department on Wednesday dropped a Trump-era lawsuit against Yale University, which accused it of discriminating against Asian American and white applicants.

Last October the DOJ, then led by Attorney General William Barr, sued Yale claiming that the university "rejects scores of Asian American and white applicants each year based on their race," according to a statement.

Though the Supreme Court has expressed support for affirmative action in college admissions, the DOJ of the Trump administration said that Yale's admissions process violates the Civil Rights Act.

"Yale uses race at multiple steps of its admissions process resulting in a multiplied effect of race on an applicant's likelihood of admission," the department said in its statement last year. "And Yale racially balances its classes."

On Wednesday, DOJ spokesperson told CNN that the department had "dismissed its lawsuit in light of all available facts, circumstances, and legal developments."

The spokesperson added that while the department withdrew its "notice letter finding that Yale's practices violate Title VI" of the 1964 Civil Rights Act - which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin - the "department's underlying investigation to ensure Title VI compliance is ongoing."

Read more: Inside the 7-minute virtual workouts the Biden transition team used to stay connected as staffers prepared to demolish Trump's policies

Karen Peart, a spokeswoman for the school, said in a statement to CNN that Yale is "gratified" to learn that the DOJ decided to dismiss the lawsuit.

"Our admissions process has allowed Yale College to assemble an unparalleled student body, which is distinguished by its academic excellence and diversity," Peart told CNN.

"Yale has steadfastly maintained that its process complies fully with Supreme Court precedent, and we are confident that the Justice Department will agree."