Harvard University has announced it is taking legal action against the Trump administration in an attempt to block a freeze on more than $2.2 billion (€2bn) in federal grants.
The university’s lawsuit comes after it declared its intention to resist the administration’s demands to limit political activism on campus.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration sent a letter to Harvard outlining a series of requests, including sweeping reforms to the university’s leadership and operations, changes to its admissions policies, and an audit of diversity initiatives.
The administration also urged Harvard to revoke recognition of certain student organisations.
Harvard’s president, Alan Garber, made it clear that the university would not comply with these directives. Shortly after, the federal government imposed a freeze on billions of dollars in funding to the institution.
During his campaign last year, Trump promised to target federal funding cuts for universities that promote what he described as “critical race theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual, or political content.”
Last week, university professors and students organised protests at campuses nationwide, voicing their opposition to what they describe as widespread attacks on higher education.
The protests were sparked by concerns over significant funding cuts, the expulsion of international students, and efforts to suppress free speech, particularly in relation to discussions about the war in Gaza.
Republican officials have focused on universities where Palestinian protests erupted in response to the war in Gaza, while several Ivy League presidents testified before Congress regarding allegations of antisemitism.
Trump and other officials have labelled protesters as “pro-Hamas,” referencing the Palestinian militant group responsible for the October 7 2023 attacks on Israel. Many protesters, however, have stated that they were protesting Israel’s military actions in Gaza rather than supporting Hamas.
The US government has also utilised immigration enforcement to target international students and scholars who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations or criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza. Some have been detained, deported, or fled the US after their visas were revoked.
