Administration of Trump declares suspension of fresh grants for Harvard until university conforms to conditions imposed by White House.
Harvard Under Fire: Trump Admin Slams 'Liberal Haven' with Funding Freeze
WASHINGTON - In a bold move, President Donald Trump's administration has decided to withhold fresh federal grants from Harvard University, marking an intense skirmish between the pair. The Education Department announced this decision in a letter to Harvard's president, signaling a major escalation in Trump's long-standing altercation with the Ivy League school.
The freezing of $2.2 billion in federal grants isn't enough for Trump, who is pushing for Harvard to lose its tax-exempt status. Harvard's unyielding stance against the administration's demands has set the stage for a heated confrontation, with Trump aiming to impose change on universities he perceives as sanctuaries of liberalism and antisemitism.
In a press call, an Education Department official revealed that Harvard won't receive any new federal grants until it demonstrates sound university management and satisfies federal requirements across several topics. This restriction applies to federal research grants, but not financial aid that students utilize to cover tuition and fees.
The official spoke anonymously to the press, giving a sneak peek of the decision during a call with reporters.
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The official alleged that Harvard displayed "serious lapses" in four key areas: antisemitism, racial discrimination, dereliction of academic rigor, and viewpoint diversity. For Harvard to become eligible for new grants, it would need to engage in negotiations with the federal government and provide evidence of meeting the administration's requirements.
The administration has advocated for a range of changes on campus, such as implementing measures to subdue protesters and fostering viewpoint diversity among teachers.
In a letter to Harvard's president, Education Secretary Linda McMahon accused the school of enrolling international students who disrespected the U.S.
Harvard's leader has maintained his stance against the government's demands, even filing a lawsuit in an attempt to halt the funding freeze last month. Harvard's suit argued that the funding freeze was without justification and infringed upon the university's First Amendment rights and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
According to previous statements from the administration, Harvard would need to meet several stipulations to keep nearly $9 billion in grants and contracts. With an endowment of $53 billion, the school in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has the country's largest endowment. Across the university, federal funds accounted for 10.5% of revenue in 2023 (not including financial aid like grants and student loans).
Sources:
- Harvard Sues to Block Government Funding Freeze Over Title VI Investigation
- Trump Administration Demands Changes From Harvard Over Diversity Programs
- Harvard and Other Universities Fight Government Over Funding
- Trump Threatens Harvard's Tax-Exempt Status
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- The Education Department's decision to withhold $2.2 billion in federal research grants from Harvard University has sparked a debate about policy-and-legislation, as the administration is pushing to impose changes on universities that it perceives as liberal havens.
- The Trump administration's funding freeze and demands for viewpoint diversity on campus have led to a legal battle, with Harvard filing a lawsuit arguing that the restrictions infringe upon its First Amendment rights and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
- Should Harvard comply with the administration's requirements and secure new funding, it stands to boost its revenue, potentially alleviating the need for additional funding through loans or other sources.
