Overview

• The U.S. Department of Education has instructed Harvard University to stop requesting federal grants, effectively ending new federal funding for the institution.
• The Trump administration accuses Harvard of fostering antisemitism by tolerating pro-Palestinian protests on campus, linking the issue to broader concerns over institutional governance.
• Harvard has filed a lawsuit challenging the freeze of $2.2 billion in federal grants, asserting the move threatens academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
• Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized Harvard for systemic non-compliance with federal law, alleged racism, and mismanagement in a formal letter to the university's leadership.
• Harvard President Alan Garber has described the situation as an existential battle, calling on alumni for financial support as the university pivots to private funding sources.