Harvard rejects Trump demands, gets hit by $2.3 billion funding freeze

Harvard University has formally rejected a series of demands from the Trump administration that would have granted the federal government sweeping influence over the institution’s policies, hiring, admissions, and academic freedom. In response, within hours, the Trump administration announced a freeze on $2.3 billion in federal funding allocated to Harvard.

This escalation is part of a broader crackdown by the administration on what it alleges is antisemitism on college campuses, especially in light of pro-Palestinian demonstrations over the past 18 months. Alongside funding freezes, measures include visa cancellations for foreign students involved in those protests and even deportation proceedings against some. The Department of Education has also demanded that Harvard eliminate race-based preferences in hiring and admissions, conduct viewpoint diversity audits, and screen international students for alignment with “American values.”

Harvard President Alan Garber, in a public letter, condemned the demands as a violation of the university‍‍`s independence and First Amendment rights, asserting that no government should dictate a private university‍‍`s teaching, admissions, or research agenda. He reaffirmed Harvard’s commitment to combating antisemitism through its own measures but rejected what he called federal overreach and politically motivated control.

In parallel, Harvard is pursuing a $750 million loan from Wall Street to help offset potential financial strain caused by the funding freeze. Meanwhile, lawsuits filed by Harvard faculty and Columbia professors challenge the administration’s actions as unconstitutional. Similar federal scrutiny and financial penalties have also been extended to Columbia University, with $400 million in funding already suspended there.