LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY — A University of Kentucky law professor has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration–aligned definition of antisemitism now used by the university, arguing it violates the First Amendment and contributed to his removal from teaching duties. Ramsi Woodcock, recently promoted to assistant professor, was barred from the law school building in July after UK opened an investigation into allegations of antisemitism tied to his public criticism of Israel.
Woodcock’s lawsuit seeks reinstatement and asks the court to block UK from applying the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) definition of antisemitism in disciplinary processes. The definition, adopted by Harvard and mandated for Kentucky’s public universities starting in January, has faced criticism from groups including the ACLU, which argue it conflates antisemitism with political speech about Israel.
The suit also asks the court to prohibit U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon from enforcing the IHRA definition under Title VI, which governs nondiscrimination for federally funded institutions. Woodcock, represented by FIRE’s Faculty Legal Defense Fund, CAIR and Kapitan Gomaa Law, argues that describing Israel as practicing apartheid or committing genocide constitutes protected academic speech.
UK officials say the investigation began after an online petition Woodcock circulated called for military action against Israel and after students and faculty reported that his remarks created a hostile environment. UK President Eli Capilouto said those statements “can be interpreted as antisemitic” under federal and state guidance.
University administrators maintain that while academic freedom is vital, faculty speech cannot endanger the safety or well-being of students and staff.
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