The Trump administration has announced it will freeze $2.2 billion in federal grants and $60 million in contracts for Harvard University after the school refused to implement policy changes demanded by the government.
The standoff follows Harvard’s rejection of new requirements outlined in a letter from a federal task force. Among the proposed changes were eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, banning masks at protests, and restructuring hiring and admissions processes to be solely merit-based.
Harvard President Alan M. Garber said the university would not accept the agreement, describing the demands as a violation of its independence and constitutional rights. “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 they can pursue,” Garber stated.
The administration’s demands come amid efforts to combat antisemitism on college campuses, citing recent protests tied to the Israel-Hamas conflict. A White House spokesperson said, “President Trump is working to Make Higher Education Great Again,” arguing the demands ensure taxpayer dollars don’t support “racial discrimination or racially motivated violence.”
Harvard’s rejection marks the first time an elite university has openly challenged the administration’s sweeping new education directives, which have already led to a $400 million cut in funding to Columbia University.
The policy letter also demanded “full cooperation” with the Department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies to ensure compliance. According to The Harvard Crimson, the administration’s broader review includes $8.7 billion in grants and $255 million in contracts between Harvard and federal agencies.
In a previous statement, Harvard defended its position, saying, “To retreat from these partnerships now risks not only the health and well-being of millions, but also the economic security of our nation.”
In response to the funding freeze, the Harvard faculty chapter of the American Association of University Professors joined the national organization in filing a lawsuit against the administration. The suit also seeks an immediate restraining order to prevent federal funding cuts.
“What the President is demanding is nothing short of authoritarian,” said Harvard Law professor Nikolas Bowie on CNN. “He is violating the First Amendment by tying federal funds to speech restrictions and academic control.”
The university’s endowment, valued at $53.2 billion in 2024, may soften the financial blow, but faculty warn that lost research funding will hurt students, public health initiatives, and innovation.
With Harvard’s lawsuit pending and the administration showing no signs of backing down, the clash could set a precedent for how far federal authority extends into private higher education.
