Trump cracks down on elite schools with taxpayer funding on the line
Harvard Faces Major Pushback from Trump Over Campus Bias
Harvard University filed a lawsuit Monday against the Trump administration after the White House froze more than $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts. The freeze comes in response to Harvard’s alleged failure to address rising antisemitism on campus and a refusal to comply with federal reform demands.
President Donald Trump’s administration is using its authority to ensure taxpayer dollars aren’t funding radical ideologies in America’s universities.
Trump Demands Reform: End DEI, Embrace Merit
The White House’s Task Force on Combating Antisemitism sent Harvard a detailed list of required reforms earlier this month. These included:
- Shutting down diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs
- Instituting merit-based hiring and admissions
- Reforming biased departments
- Blocking international applicants with ties to terrorism or anti-American ideology
Harvard rejected the requests—and swiftly felt the consequences. Within days, the Trump administration paused over $2.2 billion in research grants and $60 million in federal contracts. President Trump, 78, has also publicly questioned whether Harvard deserves tax-exempt status given its behavior.
Harvard’s Garber Pushes Back, Warns of “Real-Life Consequences”
Harvard President Alan Garber, 69, accused the administration of attempting to control campus policy. In a strongly worded statement, Garber claimed the funding freeze would hurt students, staff, and research efforts, saying the consequences would be “severe and long-lasting.”
Garber, who is Jewish, acknowledged growing concerns about antisemitism, but argued that the university deserves a chance to “engage” with the government before penalties are enforced.
Trump Administration Cites Civil Rights Law to Justify Action
Officials pointed to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which bars federal funding to institutions that tolerate discrimination. The White House cited multiple antisemitic incidents at Harvard following the October 7, 2023 Hamas terror attack on Israel as evidence of non-compliance.
Sources suggest another $1 billion in medical research funds could soon be frozen if Harvard refuses to act.
Lawsuit Filed, Bureaucrats Named
Harvard’s lawsuit, filed in federal court in Massachusetts, claims the freeze was imposed “with little warning” and accuses the government of trying to take control over academic decision-making.
The suit names key members of President Trump’s cabinet, including:
- HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon
- Attorney General Pam Bondi
- GSA Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian
White House Hits Back: “The Gravy Train Is Over”
Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields responded forcefully, saying, “Taxpayer funds are a privilege, not an entitlement. Harvard has failed to meet the basic conditions for federal funding.”
Fields added: “The gravy train of endless handouts to elite institutions that enrich bloated university bureaucrats—while struggling American families pay the price—is coming to an end.”
Trump’s Message: No Reform, No Funds
This lawsuit is just the latest in President Trump’s national effort to restore accountability to higher education. Last month, Columbia University backed down and implemented reforms to avoid losing funding.
Now the spotlight is on Harvard—and the message is loud and clear:
Universities that want federal money must respect American values.