Harvard University announced Monday it is suing the Trump administration to lift a freeze on more than $2.2 billion in federal research funding. The legal move follows Harvard’s refusal to comply with sweeping demands aimed at curbing campus activism and reforming the university’s policies.
The administration’s April 11 letter called for tougher protest rules, audits of campus diversity, leadership overhauls, and the derecognition of certain student groups. Harvard President Alan Garber rejected the demands, citing constitutional protections, prompting the funding freeze.
In its lawsuit, Harvard argued that the freeze is politically motivated and threatens critical research efforts with no clear connection to the administration’s stated concerns about antisemitism.
Trump later suggested on Truth Social that Harvard should lose its tax-exempt status, accusing it of promoting “ideological and terrorist inspired/supporting sickness.”
The university said the administration’s actions undermine academic freedom and threaten the autonomy historically protected by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The administration’s April 11 letter called for tougher protest rules, audits of campus diversity, leadership overhauls, and the derecognition of certain student groups. Harvard President Alan Garber rejected the demands, citing constitutional protections, prompting the funding freeze.
In its lawsuit, Harvard argued that the freeze is politically motivated and threatens critical research efforts with no clear connection to the administration’s stated concerns about antisemitism.
Trump later suggested on Truth Social that Harvard should lose its tax-exempt status, accusing it of promoting “ideological and terrorist inspired/supporting sickness.”
The university said the administration’s actions undermine academic freedom and threaten the autonomy historically protected by the U.S. Supreme Court.
