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3w ago

Harvard Defies Trump Administration as $2.2B in Federal Funding is Frozen

The university rejects demands to overhaul policies, citing threats to academic independence, while facing escalating attacks and potential legal battles.

refused to strike a deal with the Trump administration saying its demands went beyond the stated mission of combating antisemitism and threatened the school’s independence.
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People walk through a gate as they exit Harvard Yard on the campus of Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachussetts, on April 15, 2025.

Overview

  • Harvard University has refused to comply with the Trump administration’s demands to alter hiring, admissions, and governance policies, asserting they violate constitutional rights.
  • The administration has frozen $2.2 billion in federal funding, including grants and contracts, as a punitive measure against Harvard’s defiance.
  • President Trump has intensified his rhetoric, calling Harvard a 'joke' and threatening to revoke its tax-exempt status, while criticizing its diversity programs and hiring practices.
  • The funding freeze jeopardizes critical research initiatives and poses economic risks for Massachusetts, where Harvard is a major employer and economic driver.
  • Harvard’s stance has garnered support from other universities and political figures, including former President Obama, highlighting a broader debate over academic freedom and government overreach.