The US Department of Education has informed Harvard University’s administration that it will stop giving the university federal grants for research because of “catastrophically ineffective university management” and “systematic violations of federal laws.”
In a letter to Harvard President Alan Garber, US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated that the university ignores anti-Semitism and discrimination.
The freeze on future funding represents a slight change in tactics by the Trump administration: previous attempts to freeze funds already allocated to leading universities have led to legal disputes.
Trump criticised Harvard over allegations of anti-Semitism amid pro-Palestinian protests sparked by the military operation of the US’ ally Israel in Gaza following the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
Trump claims that pro-Palestinian protesters are anti-Semitic and sympathetic to Hamas. Protesters, including some Jewish organisations, argue that the government is wrong to equate criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza with anti-Semitism and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism.
Harvard vs. Trump
In recent weeks, the US administration has launched a formal review of nearly $9 billion in federal funding for Harvard, demanded a ban on diversity, equality and inclusion practices, as well as harsh measures against pro-Palestinian groups and a ban on wearing masks at protests.
Last month, Harvard refused to comply with numerous demands from the Trump administration, calling them an attack on free speech and academic autonomy. The university sued the administration after about $2.3 billion in federal funding was suspended, while promising to combat discrimination on campus.
In its lawsuit against the Trump administration, Harvard said the funding cuts would have serious “real consequences for patients, students, faculty, staff and researchers” and would jeopardise important medical and scientific research.
Although Harvard has a $53 billion endowment fund — the largest of any university in the United States — these funds are generally strictly limited in their use and are earmarked for things such as scholarships and financial aid for students.
In early April, the US Department of Education’s task force on anti-Semitism began reviewing Harvard’s federal grants and contracts. At the time, the amount in question was about $9 billion. The day before, the White House said that Trump was “working to make higher education great again and end anti-Semitism.”
In October 2023, media outlets reported that major philanthropists had refused to sponsor Harvard and other prestigious US universities. This was allegedly due to the fact that university leaders had not sufficiently condemned the invasion of Israeli territory by Hamas militants.
