Overview

• Linda McMahon told CNBC that universities may only continue federally supported research if it is “in sync” with the administration’s goals.
• Social media critics denounced her remarks as a direct threat to academic freedom and an attempt to politicize independent inquiry.
• The Trump administration has frozen $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard and barred the university from new research grants until it complies with federal demands.
• Harvard filed a lawsuit in April challenging the funding freeze and threats to its tax-exempt status as violations of its institutional autonomy.
• Legal experts warn that the outcome of Harvard’s case could set a precedent for the extent of government influence over research priorities at U.S. universities.