In a bold legal showdown with the Trump administration, Harvard University filed a lawsuit Monday seeking to lift a federal freeze on more than $2.2 billion in research grants. The freeze came just hours after Harvard publicly rejected sweeping government demands aimed at curbing campus activism and reshaping university governance.
The administration’s April 11 letter accused Harvard of enabling antisemitism through student protests against Israel’s war in Gaza and demanded a range of institutional reforms. These included changes to admissions policies, audits of diversity efforts, discipline for protesters, and restrictions on certain student groups. Harvard was also urged to vet international students for alignment with “American values.”
Harvard President Alan Garber stood firm, stating that the university would not capitulate. The federal government responded swiftly, suspending billions in research funding.
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In the lawsuit filed in Boston federal court, Harvard argued that the funding suspension lacked legal or logical grounding.
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“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,” the filing stated.
“Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvard’s research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress.”
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Labeling the freeze “arbitrary and capricious,” Harvard claims it violates both the First Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
The White House fired back almost immediately.
“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,” White House spokesman Harrison Fields said Monday. “Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege.”
The legal action places Harvard at the heart of a growing conflict between elite universities and a federal administration determined to upend higher education policies it views as ideologically biased. The administration has targeted campus research grants as a pressure point in this broader effort.
The original letter to Harvard went far beyond antisemitism allegations. It pushed for an overhaul of the university’s leadership and academic policies, and called for increased ideological diversity across departments—potentially by admitting new students and hiring new faculty.
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Harvard responded last Monday with a firm refusal to comply, citing constitutional protections. The next day, President Trump criticized the school on Truth Social, raising questions about its tax-exempt status and accusing it of promoting “political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness.’”
This is not Harvard’s first brush with federal scrutiny. Earlier this month, the American Association of University Professors filed a lawsuit of its own, seeking to block the government’s review of the university’s funding.
Harvard’s latest legal move underscores its defense of academic independence.
“Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world,” Garber wrote in a message to the Harvard community.
“We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion.”
Supporters of the university have rallied behind the lawsuit. Anurima Bhargava, a Harvard alumna who previously called for a firmer response, praised the legal filing.
“The Trump administration continues its reckless and unlawful attack for power and control over Harvard, slashing billions in funding for scientific research and innovation that improves and saves lives,” she said. “Today, Harvard once again refused to accede to the administration’s dangerous and escalating demands.”
The American Council on Education, representing over 1,600 colleges and universities, also issued a statement of support.
“It has been clear for weeks that the administration’s actions violated due process and the rule of law,” said council president Ted Mitchell. “We applaud Harvard for taking this step and look forward to a clear and unambiguous statement by the court rebuking efforts to undermine scholarship and science.”
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