Overview
- Harvard University filed a federal lawsuit on April 21 to block the Trump administration's freeze of $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts.
- The administration's funding freeze followed Harvard's refusal to comply with demands to end DEI programs, reform admissions policies, and allow federal oversight of campus operations.
- Harvard's lawsuit argues that the government's actions violate the First Amendment, federal laws, and due process requirements, calling them 'arbitrary and capricious.'
- The funding freeze jeopardizes critical research projects, including studies on cancer, infectious diseases, and other scientific advancements, according to Harvard's filing.
- The Trump administration has threatened additional cuts of $1 billion, a review of Harvard's tax-exempt status, and restrictions on international student enrollment.