Harvard University sues Trump administration
Illustrative photo: Harvard sues Trump administration (Getty Images)
Harvard University has filed a lawsuit in a US federal court against representatives of President Donald Trump's administration over the freezing of billions of dollars in funding for the institution, according to Bloomberg and the university's website, The Harvard Crimson.
Harvard University has filed a lawsuit in a US federal court against representatives of President Donald Trump's administration over the freezing of billions of dollars in funding for the institution.
According to the university's lawyers, the US government froze funding for Harvard after the university refused to comply with "unconstitutional demands" regarding the revision of management policies, discipline, hiring practices, and diversity programs.
The lawsuit was filed in Massachusetts.
Before this, the Trump administration accused the oldest and wealthiest university in the country, Harvard, of failing to address anti-Semitism on its campus.
Harvard's president, Alan Garber, stated that in the past week, "the federal government has taken several actions following Harvard’s refusal to comply with its illegal demands."
“We filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government’s authority,” he said.
In his statement, published on the university's website, Garber referred to the US government's suspension of federal funding amounting to $2.2 billion and threats to block an additional $1.1 billion in grants, as well as repressive measures against foreign students and the potential revocation of Harvard's tax-exempt status.
In the lawsuit, Harvard argues that the freezing of funding violates the First Amendment's guarantee of freedom of speech and the Administrative Procedure Act. The university is asking the judge to block the US government's actions and declare them unconstitutional.
Trump administration's demands
The Trump administration insists on significant changes at the most elite universities in the US. It has also recently frozen or is reviewing federal funding for Princeton, Cornell, Northwestern, and Columbia universities.
On April 14, the US government suspended multi-year grants amounting to $2.2 billion, claiming that the institution does not comply with civil rights laws to protect Jewish students.
However, in the lawsuit, Harvard asserts that “the government has not - and cannot - identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation.”
Conflict between Harvard and Trump administration
The conflict between Harvard and the Trump administration began last month. The government raised concerns about the allocation of approximately $9 billion in federal funds to the institution. A few days later, the administration demanded that Harvard change its management practices, transform admissions and faculty hiring, stop accepting foreign students who are hostile to US values, and ensure diversity of viewpoints.
The US government also called for the cancellation of any race- or ethnicity-based hiring preferences, implemented a broad mask-wearing ban, and added oversight over “biased programs that fuel antisemitism.”
Harvard rejected these demands on April 14, stating that it “will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights” and that a private university “cannot allow itself to be taken over” by the US government.
In its complaint, Harvard stated that without funding, it would be forced to either reduce or suspend ongoing research projects and terminate contracts with researchers, staff, and administrators, or make other departmental or program cuts.
Leaders of other universities, including Princeton, have expressed support for Harvard's position, but they, too, are facing pressure from the White House. The Trump administration has already canceled the allocation of $400 million in federal funds for Columbia University and frozen dozens of research contracts at Princeton, Cornell, and Northwestern universities.
On April 16, it was reported that President Donald Trump called for the termination of Harvard's funding. He also referred to the institution as a "joke" and a "center of hate and stupidity."
On March 7, the White House had decided to cancel $400 million in grants and contracts for Columbia University - officially for its "failure to combat anti-Semitism." Just three days later, on March 10, Harvard announced a temporary freeze on hiring workers, citing "financial uncertainty caused by federal policy changes."
