Harvard University has launched a lawsuit against the Trump administration, following the government’s decision to freeze $US2.2 billion ($AU3.5 billion) in grants.
The funding was cut after Harvard refused to comply with a set of government demands.
In its legal filing, Harvard accused the administration of breaching the school’s “constitutional freedoms”, and attempting to “impose unprecedented and improper control over the university.”
Background
Harvard is one of the world’s most prestigious universities. Its alumni and faculty have earned more than 160 Nobel Prizes, most recently in 2024.
In 2024, the Government supplied 68% of Harvard’s outside research funding.
Since coming to power, the Trump administration has launched investigations into several universities, including Harvard, over claims of antisemitism, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) hiring and admissions practices.
The effort, led by a federal task force, was spurred by 2024 pro-Palestine protests at U.S. colleges. Universities said at the time they were seeing increased antisemitism on campuses.
Separately, in a June 2023 ruling, the Supreme Court outlawed affirmative action in college admissions, overturning a precedent that had stood since the 1970s.
DEI and antisemitism probes have already led to hundreds of millions in federal funding being cancelled or frozen at several top universities.
Harvard
On 31 March, the White House announced a review of Harvard’s federal contracts and grants, “to combat antisemitism”.
In a letter sent to the University’s President later that week, it notified the institution that it had “failed to live up to both the intellectual and civil rights conditions that justify federal investment,” and detailed a list of demands.
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These included requiring Harvard to hire independent auditors to ensure its departments have diverse viewpoints, and are not antisemitic.
The Government also demanded oversight of hiring, promotions, and admissions, and the rejection of applications from non-U.S. citizens deemed “hostile to American values.”
To retain funding, Harvard would also need to report any international student accused of breaking university rules to the Government.
President Dr. Alan Garber said the demands violated Harvard’s right to free speech and exceeded the Government’s authority.
In response, the White House froze $2.2 billion in funding to the school.
Lawsuit
Harvard has now announced it will sue the Trump administration over the funding freeze. The complaint has been lodged in the Federal District Court in Massachusetts.
In a statement, Dr. Gerber said: “We filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government’s authority.”
He added: “The consequences of the government’s overreach will be severe and long-lasting.“
Response
In a response to Harvard’s lawsuit, White House Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields defended the funding freeze, arguing “taxpayer funds are a privilege” that Harvard no longer meets the conditions to access.
“The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families is coming to an end,” Fields added.
