The Trump administration has announced the suspension of $2.2 billion in federal grants and $60 million in government contracts to Harvard University, citing the institution’s refusal to comply with new directives regarding campus policies and diversity programs.
According to officials, the administration demanded Harvard make sweeping changes, including the dismantling of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, banning of certain protest groups—particularly those showing pro-Palestinian support—ending the use of masks during demonstrations, and restructuring admissions and hiring to be based solely on merit.
In a formal response, Harvard University President Alan Garber rejected the administration’s conditions, calling them unconstitutional and an infringement on academic freedom and First Amendment rights. He emphasized that the university “will not be coerced into abandoning its values or independence.”
The federal action has drawn strong criticism from academic circles, civil rights advocates, and student organizations. The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has already initiated legal proceedings, challenging the funding freeze as a violation of civil liberties.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism defended the decision, accusing Harvard of harboring a “culture of entitlement” and failing to enforce laws protecting civil rights on campus.
This move is seen as part of a larger push by the Trump administration to reshape American higher education by targeting elite universities perceived to promote progressive ideologies.
