Harvard University Sues Trump Administration Over $2 Billion Federal Funding Freeze

Harvard Slams Trump Over $2B Aid Freeze in Bold Lawsuit

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after $2 billion in federal money was abruptly frozen. In a public letter announcing the complaint, university president Alan M. Garber called the funding suspension “unlawful” and “deeply harmful” to critical research, especially in the areas of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and pediatric cancer.

In what it called an attempt to impose excessive influence over academic institutions, the complaint charges the Trump administration with exceeding its constitutional authority. Harvard claims that the funding freeze was politically motivated, particularly after the university turned down a series of federal demands meant to curb anti-Semitism and diversity initiatives.

The administration’s moves are part of a larger strategy that targets prestigious universities. According to reports, a recently established federal task force on anti-Semitism is reviewing at least 60 universities. In addition to Harvard, government funding totaling hundreds of millions of dollars have been suspended at universities like Cornell and Brown University.

Harvard has reacted forcefully, claiming that academic independence is being directly attacked by the government’s strategy. Withholding funding as leverage for policy conformity, according to the university’s court complaint, violates its rights and creates a risky precedent for political meddling in education.

The White House responded by defending the cuts, claiming that they were putting an end to the “gravy train” of taxpayer-funded aid to what it described as bloated academic bureaucracy. The administration also alluded to other suspensions, implying that an additional $1 billion in government assistance would be discontinued. Although Jewish President Garber acknowledged instances of anti-Semitism on campus, he emphasized that Harvard had already established internal task teams to combat biases against Muslims and Jews. The university intends to make these committees’ reports available to the public shortly.

Former President Barack Obama, a Harvard alumnus, has condemned the funding freeze as unconstitutional. Meanwhile, national polling indicates that public trust in higher education is waning, particularly among Republicans, amid concerns that universities are advancing partisan agendas.

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