Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Funding Threats

Harvard University initiated legal action against the Trump administration on Monday, contesting threats to withhold over $2.2 billion in funding. The lawsuit, reported by The New York Times, centers on the administration's attempts to exert control over the university's operations.

University President Alan M. Garber voiced concerns, accusing the administration of seeking "unprecedented and improper control." He warned that the government's actions could have "severe and long-lasting" repercussions. This legal challenge follows the administration's demand for access to all university reports on antisemitism and anti-Muslim bias, dating back to October 2023.

The administration's demands include the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, a ban on masks at campus protests, merit-based hiring and admissions reforms, and a reduction in the influence of faculty and administrators. The government has also threatened to withhold $1 billion in federal health research contracts.

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, alleges a broad attack aimed at gaining control over academic decision-making. The university's president, in his statement, acknowledged valid concerns about rising antisemitism. He emphasized the need for the government to engage with the university legally, rather than attempting to dictate hiring practices and curriculum.

Former President Donald Trump has publicly criticized Harvard University, denouncing its hiring practices and labeling the institution a "joke." He has also stated that the university should not be considered among the world's top institutions of higher learning.