Overview

• U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled the government’s cutoff of Harvard’s grants unconstitutional, finding it violated First Amendment protections and enjoined enforcement of the orders issued since April 14.
• In an 84-page opinion, the judge said antisemitism concerns were used as a pretext for an ideologically driven effort, noting Harvard’s problems with antisemitism but little connection to the targeted research funding.
• The decision blocks the administration from using the same rationale to terminate Harvard’s grants and warns against arbitrary, procedurally weak cancellations that jeopardize years of scientific work.
• White House spokesperson Liz Huston condemned the ruling and said the administration will appeal, arguing Harvard has no constitutional entitlement to taxpayer funding.
• The case could shape disputes at other universities, as institutions like Columbia have struck costly settlements, and reported talks about a potential Harvard deal leave broader fallout and next steps in flux.