Funding halt at the nation's oldest university projected to persist throughout summer following the initial legal hearing
In the heat of a nationwide controversy, Harvard University is slugging it out with the Trump administration in a federal courtroom battle over $2.2 billion in frozen research funds. This high-profile squabble over political ideology in American higher education has been simmering for months and could have far-reaching implications, as the administration also eyes US institutions' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, as well as their admissions and employment practices.
In a dramatic courtroom showdown last Monday, US District Court Judge Allison Burroughs, a Barack Obama appointee, set July 21 for oral arguments. Harvard, the venerable and wealthiest college in the States, has requested a swift resolution rather than an immediate order to restore the funding, meaning the university will be without crucial grant and contract funds for at least the next 12 weeks - unless the White House decides to reverse its decision.
Images of students at Harvard's Cambridge, Massachusetts, campus still reverberate with tension, following the Trump administration's announcement that it would block the university's federal funding due to disputes over student conduct, antisemitism on campus, and DEI initiatives[6].
Harvard cannot help but question, "How long can we survive the erosion of democratic norms, erosions to freedom of expression ... the independence of universities?" queried law professor Osamudia James of the University of North Carolina, whose areas of expertise include administrative law. "The fight is actually bigger than just, oh, how much money does Harvard have? Or how long can it last, or whether it should be getting these grants. What is at stake here is whether an administration can just do whatever it wants to do and punish entities that they perceive as a threat."
Harvard filed its lawsuit a week ago, following the Trump administration's announcement that it was cutting billions of dollars in grants, citing breakdowns in negotiations over combating antisemitism on campus[6]. The administration has previously slashed funding for other universities, including Cornell and Northwestern, and has threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status and foreign student hosting eligibility[6].
Harvard's complaint lists multiple defendants, including the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Department of Education, Department of Justice, General Services Administration, Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, Department of Defense, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration[7].
Judge Burroughs has previously presided over high-profile cases involving Harvard University, most notably upholding the university's admissions process in a 2019 ruling that was later overturned by the Supreme Court's landmark decision on race-conscious admissions[7].
The university now argues that the Trump administration's attempt to coerce and control Harvard violates "fundamental First Amendment principles." They further assert that Washington has violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires the government to provide a hearing and prove that any final agency action is not arbitrary, capricious, or not in accordance with the law[8].
Before filing its lawsuit, Harvard enlisted the help of two attorneys with substantial Republican connections: William Burck, who served as special counsel to former President George W. Bush, and Robert Hur, appointed special counsel to investigate former President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents[9]. These high-profile hires are seen as providing a better chance to negotiate a favorable settlement with the Trump administration[9].
Despite the Trump administration's claims that its demands were intended for ongoing negotiations, the two sides have yet to reach an agreement[6]. The administration has not yet responded to the allegations in Harvard's lawsuit, but Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that the administration expects all colleges and universities receiving taxpayer funds to comply with federal law[10].
The outcome of this legal battle could have significant consequences for American higher education, as well as taxpayers who will foot the bill for the litigation. As Judge Burroughs prepares to weigh in on this crucial case, the eyes of the nation await her decision.
- The general-news headlines are abuzz with the legal battle between Harvard University and the Trump administration, a contest that has been escalating for months over politics and American higher education's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
- Harvard, in its lawsuit, asserts that the Trump administration's actions, such as suspending funding and threatening to revoke tax-exempt status, violate fundamental First Amendment principles and the Administrative Procedure Act.
- In a move to demonstrate conformity with both parties, Harvard enlisted the help of two attorneys, William Burck and Robert Hur, who have considerable Republican connections.
- The outcome of this courtroom showdown could have far-reaching implications, not just for Harvard but for American higher education at large, as it may set precedents for the future of political involvement in university affairs and the administration's power over grant funding.
