Trump Administration Freezes $2.2 Billion in Harvard Funding Over Policy Disputes
The Trump administration has halted over $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts to Harvard University, citing the institution’s refusal to implement specific policy demands. These demands, outlined in a formal letter, included:
Merit-based admissions and hiring: A shift towards prioritizing merit in place of other factors.
Leadership reforms: Broad governmental and leadership changes within the university.
Diversity viewpoint audit: A requirement for Harvard to assess the diversity views of its students, faculty, and staff.
* Face mask ban: A prohibition on face masks, perceived as targeting pro-Palestinian protests.
* Student group restrictions: A cessation of recognition or funding for groups promoting illegal activity, violence, or harassment.
Harvard President Alan Garber rejected these demands, asserting they infringe upon the university’s First Amendment rights and exceed governmental authority. Garber emphasized academic freedom and institutional autonomy, 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.”
The frozen funds, totaling $2.2 billion in multi-year federal grants and $60 million in multi-year contracts, support diverse research programs, scholarships, and academic resources. Harvard receives approximately $9 billion in total federal support, with a substantial portion allocated to its Boston-area hospitals.
This action is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration targeting Ivy League universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, Brown, and Princeton. The American Association of University Professors has initiated a lawsuit, alleging the administration bypassed required procedures before implementing the fun
ding cuts.
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