The Trump administration has frozen $2.2 billion in federal grants along with an additional $60 million given to Columbia University in response to Harvard University's rejection of the administration's demands.
In a statement released yesterday, Harvard announced it is rejecting the administration's requirements to implement comprehensive changes to the university's admission policy and recruitment procedures. Harvard President Alan Garber wrote, "Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the 'intellectual conditions' at Harvard."
The government antisemitism task force operating under the US Department of Justice criticized the university in response: "Harvard's statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation's most prestigious universities and colleges – that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws."
"The disruption of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years is unacceptable. The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable. It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support," added members of the special task force established immediately upon Donald Trump's return to the White House.
Unlike Columbia University, which complied with the administration's demands after it threatened to cut hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding, Harvard refused to act similarly and implement comprehensive changes to the university's admission policy and recruitment procedures.
In a letter sent by lawyers representing the university, it was written that Harvard will continue to fight antisemitism and "remains open to dialogue about what the university has done, and is planning to do, to improve the experience of every member of its community...Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government," the lawsuit stated.
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and… https://t.co/gAu9UUqgjF
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 15, 2025
The confrontation between the administration and Harvard included a lengthy saga that developed a few days ago after the university filed a lawsuit against the administration intended to issue a temporary restraining order against the freezing of federal funding. According to the university, the Trump administration's actions violate the First Amendment and sections of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in federally assisted programs on the basis of race, color, or national origin under federal law.
Harvard's decision marks a turning point in the administration's battle with elite universities where an unprecedented wave of pro-Palestinian protests occurred following the outbreak of Israel's war with Hamas. In recent months, the administration began conducting a comprehensive investigation of dozens of universities, aiming to examine whether they violated civil rights laws by failing to provide protection to Jewish students and staff during the violent wave of protests. Simultaneously, leading educational institutions were required to implement reforms to continue receiving federal funding. As mentioned, Harvard was the first to refuse and now faces extensive cuts that could affect its financial stability, research conducted on its campus, and its ongoing operations.
