Harvard sues Trump administration over funding freeze and interference in academic decision-making

NEW YORK, April 22 — Harvard filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration yesterday, escalating the ongoing conflict between the prestigious university and the Republican president, who has threatened to withhold funding and impose political oversight.

Trump has targeted several top universities, accusing them of enabling campus anti-Semitism and attempting to control their budgets, tax-exempt status, and the enrollment of international students. Harvard has resisted these demands.

The lawsuit, filed in a Massachusetts federal court, claims that the U.S. government is using the withholding of federal funds as leverage to control Harvard’s academic decision-making. It named several other institutions also targeted by Trump.

“The Government’s actions violate not only the First Amendment but also federal laws and regulations,” the lawsuit asserts, calling Trump’s actions “arbitrary and capricious.”

Trump’s administration is angry with Harvard for rejecting government oversight of its admissions, hiring practices, and political stance. Last week, Trump ordered a freeze on $2.2 billion in federal funding to the university.

Harvard’s lawsuit seeks to have the funding freeze and conditions on federal grants declared unlawful, and it is also demanding that the Trump administration cover Harvard’s legal costs.

Trump and his administration have justified their actions by citing concerns over what they view as unchecked “anti-Semitism” and a need to roll back diversity programs designed to address historical minority oppression. They argue that last year’s campus protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza were rife with anti-Semitic rhetoric.

Many universities, including Harvard, responded by cracking down on these protests, with the university placing 23 students on probation and withholding degrees from 12 others, according to protest organizers.

Trump criticized Harvard on his Truth Social platform last week, calling the university “a JOKE” and accusing it of promoting “Hate and Stupidity.” He further stated that Harvard should no longer receive federal funds.

Harvard President Alan Garber stated that the Trump administration had launched “numerous investigations” into the university’s operations. Last week, Garber made it clear that Harvard would not “negotiate over its independence or constitutional rights.”

While other top institutions, like Columbia University, have complied with some of the administration’s less drastic demands, Harvard has stood firm. The Department of Homeland Security has also threatened to limit Harvard’s ability to enroll international students unless the university provides records of visa-holders’ alleged “illegal and violent activities.”

According to its website, international students make up 27.2 percent of Harvard’s enrollment this academic year.

In the lawsuit, Harvard emphasized its commitment to rejecting anti-Semitism and discrimination and stated that it is actively working to address these issues on campus. However, the lawsuit argues that the government’s funding freeze affects vital research in areas like medicine, science, and technology, which are unrelated to anti-Semitism.

Trump’s criticisms of diversity programs tap into broader conservative grievances that U.S. universities are too liberal, marginalizing right-wing voices while favoring minority groups.

With this case, the White House is seeking unprecedented control over the operations of Harvard, one of the world’s most respected and influential educational and research institutions. — AFP