Trump Administration Freezes $2.2 Billion in Grants to Harvard University Over Antisemitism Concerns

The Trump administration on Monday evening announced the suspension of $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard University due to concerns over antisemitism on campus. This decision came shortly after Harvard rejected the administration's demands to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and screen international students for ideological concerns, putting nearly $9 billion in federal funding for the university at risk.

Harvard's Response to the Administration's Demands

In a note to the university community, Harvard President Alan Garber expressed strong opposition to the government's demands, stating, "No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue." Garber emphasized that while some of the demands were aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represented direct governmental regulation of the 'intellectual conditions' at Harvard.

Impact of Funding Suspension

The suspension of funding is expected to have significant repercussions for Harvard, as federal government support has been the primary source of resource allocation for the university. Garber warned that without this funding, it not only jeopardizes the health and well-being of millions of individuals but also threatens the economic security and vitality of the nation.

Harvard's Commitment to Addressing Antisemitism

In a separate letter, Harvard's legal representatives stated that the university has taken proactive measures to combat antisemitism. They expressed openness to dialogue about the university's actions and future plans to enhance the experience of every member of its community. However, they firmly rejected demands that exceeded the lawful authority of the administration.

Legal Representation and Implications

Notably, one of the lawyers representing Harvard is Robert Hur, the Department of Justice special counsel who investigated former President Joe Biden's handling of classified documents. Hur was nominated by Trump in 2017 to serve as Maryland's U.S. attorney. Another lawyer for the university is William Burck, an outside ethics advisor for the Trump Organization and global co-chair of law firm Quinn Emanuel LLP.

White House's Stance on Funding Cutoff

The White House indicated that the decision to cut off funding for Harvard was a direct consequence of the university's refusal to comply with the administration's demands. White House Spokesperson Harrison Fields stated, "[Trump] is working to Make Higher Education Great Again by ending unchecked antisemitism and ensuring federal taxpayer dollars do not fund Harvard's support of dangerous racial discrimination or racially motivated violence." Fields further asserted that any institution violating Title VI is, by law, ineligible for federal funding.

Broader Crackdown on DEI Programs

The Trump administration's actions are part of a broader crackdown on DEI programs at colleges and universities nationwide. Since President Donald Trump regained office in January, the administration has taken a strong stance against such programs. Earlier this year, the administration cut $400 million in funding for Columbia University over its handling of pro-Palestinian protests on campus. In contrast, Columbia University complied with many of the White House's demands. Furthermore, the administration halted over $1 billion in federal funding for Cornell University and approximately $790 million for Northwestern University.