Trump Halts More Than $2 Billion in Funding to Harvard Due to 'Non-Compliance'
The decision follows Harvard University's rejection of the US administration's request for policy changes. The administration of President Donald Trump has announced a freeze on over $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard...
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The decision follows Harvard University's rejection of the US administration's request for policy changes.
The administration of President Donald Trump has announced a freeze on over $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University. This action comes in response to the Ivy League school's refusal to comply with a series of demands from the White House.
A significant conflict between the administration and some of the nation’s premier universities has emerged concerning the handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campuses last year. Since taking office, Trump has intensified pressure on universities to address anti-Semitism and to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
Last week, the White House presented Harvard with an “updated and expanded list of demands,” which it claimed were intended to combat anti-Semitism on campus. Alongside this, a warning was issued that the university “must comply” to uphold its “financial relationship” with the government.
The proposals outlined changes to the university's governance, hiring practices, and admissions policies, along with the elimination of its DEI policies and programs.
On Monday, Harvard rejected these demands, accusing the White House of attempting to “control” its community.
“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Harvard President Alan Garber stated in a letter to the community, asserting that the university takes its responsibility to combat anti-Semitism seriously but believes the government is overstepping its bounds.
Shortly thereafter, the government announced the freeze on billions in federal funding for Harvard, claiming that “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,” the Education Department added in its statement.
A federal task force had earlier cut $400 million in funding to Columbia University and threatened to withdraw billions more unless it complied with a list of demands from the Trump administration. Columbia agreed to many of the proposed changes, receiving praise from Jewish organizations while facing criticism from free-speech advocates who view the actions as federal overreach.
Additionally, the Trump administration has suspended federal funding for other institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Princeton, Cornell, and Northwestern.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
The administration of President Donald Trump has announced a freeze on over $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University. This action comes in response to the Ivy League school's refusal to comply with a series of demands from the White House.
A significant conflict between the administration and some of the nation’s premier universities has emerged concerning the handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campuses last year. Since taking office, Trump has intensified pressure on universities to address anti-Semitism and to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.
Last week, the White House presented Harvard with an “updated and expanded list of demands,” which it claimed were intended to combat anti-Semitism on campus. Alongside this, a warning was issued that the university “must comply” to uphold its “financial relationship” with the government.
The proposals outlined changes to the university's governance, hiring practices, and admissions policies, along with the elimination of its DEI policies and programs.
On Monday, Harvard rejected these demands, accusing the White House of attempting to “control” its community.
“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Harvard President Alan Garber stated in a letter to the community, asserting that the university takes its responsibility to combat anti-Semitism seriously but believes the government is overstepping its bounds.
Shortly thereafter, the government announced the freeze on billions in federal funding for Harvard, claiming that “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,” the Education Department added in its statement.
A federal task force had earlier cut $400 million in funding to Columbia University and threatened to withdraw billions more unless it complied with a list of demands from the Trump administration. Columbia agreed to many of the proposed changes, receiving praise from Jewish organizations while facing criticism from free-speech advocates who view the actions as federal overreach.
Additionally, the Trump administration has suspended federal funding for other institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, Princeton, Cornell, and Northwestern.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
