The Trump Administration Withholds Grant Funding for Harvard Until Institution Meets Presidential Requirements

The US Department of Education informed Harvard University that it is ending billions of dollars in research grants and other aid unless the school agrees to a list of demands from the Trump administration that would give the government effective control over the university.

Dr Alan Garber, Harvard’s president, received this information in a letter from Linda McMahon, the education secretary, which was also posted on social media.

The main reason for the crackdown on Harvard is the school’s refusal to accept demands from the Trump administration’s antisemitism taskforce and accusations of the university violating federal law.

Garber explained that the university decided to sue the federal government after the Trump administration took several actions against Harvard, including freezing funding and initiating investigations.

In its lawsuit against the Trump administration, Harvard said the government’s funding cuts would have significant consequences for medical and scientific research.

McMahon’s letter includes similarities to a Truth Social post from Donald Trump, filled with all-caps words and personal attacks.

McMahon claims that Harvard has invited foreign students who engage in violent behavior and show contempt for the United States.

Harvard has conducted its own investigations on allegations of antisemitism and anti-Muslim, anti-Arab, and anti-Palestinian bias.

McMahon’s letter also addresses several other grievances, including the politics of Penny Pritzker, complaints from Bill Ackman, and issues with diversity efforts, a remedial math course, and the Harvard Law Review’s supposed discriminatory practices.

McMahon expresses her dissatisfaction with the hiring decisions at Harvard, including the recruitment of former mayors Bill de Blasio and Lori Lightfoot.

McMahon writes that Harvard will cease to be a publicly funded institution and instead operate as a privately funded institution using its endowment and funding from alumni.