Overview

• Harvard formally rejected the Trump administration's April 11 demands, leading to the freezing of $2.2 billion in federal research funding and threats to its tax-exempt status.
• The administration's actions are part of broader efforts to pressure universities using federal funding under the guise of combating campus antisemitism.
• Over 100 university leaders, legal advocates, and organizations, including FIRE and the Journal Editorial Board, have condemned the administration's actions as unconstitutional overreach.
• Public favorability of Harvard has risen, with increased alumni donations and support highlighting the institution's economic and social contributions to the U.S.
• This escalating conflict underscores the stakes for academic freedom, with universities rallying to protect their autonomy and the broader role of higher education in American society.