Harvard University has initiated legal action against the Trump administration, challenging the federal government’s decision to freeze over $2.2 billion in research grants and contracts.
The lawsuit, filed in a Boston federal court, accuses the administration of exceeding its authority and attempting to exert control over academic decision-making.
The funding freeze follows Harvard’s refusal to comply with demands from the administration, which included overhauling diversity programs, modifying admissions policies, and limiting campus activism.
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The government justified these demands as measures to combat antisemitism on college campuses. However, Harvard contends that the actions are a guise for political interference and infringe upon the university’s constitutional rights.
In a statement, Harvard President Alan Garber emphasised the university’s stance, asserting that it “will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.” He further stated that the government’s actions lack a rational connection to antisemitism concerns and jeopardise critical research efforts in medicine, science, and technology.
The lawsuit names several federal agencies, including the Departments of Education, Health, Justice, Energy, and the General Services Administration, as parties involved in the funding freeze. Harvard argues that the indefinite suspension of funds will have significant consequences on its research programs and the broader national interest in advancing innovation.
This legal battle places Harvard at the forefront of a broader conflict between the Trump administration and higher education institutions across the United States. The administration has similarly targeted other universities, such as Columbia, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania, with funding threats tied to compliance with its directives.
As of now, the Trump administration has not publicly responded to Harvard’s lawsuit. The case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the autonomy of academic institutions and the limits of federal authority over education.