Trump freezes $2.2bn for Harvard after policy dispute

The Trump administration has announced a freeze on funding for Harvard University. This includes $2.2 billion in federal grants and $60 million in contracts. The freeze follows Harvard's refusal to implement policy changes requested by the administration.

Last week, a federal task force sent Harvard a letter. The letter outlined new requirements for maintaining federal funding. These included ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. It also called for banning masks at campus protests and enforcing merit-based admissions and hiring.

Harvard rejected these demands. The university stated it would not compromise its independence or constitutional rights. President Alan Garber emphasized this stance, saying they would not surrender academic freedom.

A White House spokesperson defended the funding freeze. They argued that federal money should not support institutions promoting racial discrimination or violence. The administration aims to "Make Higher Education Great Again" by combating antisemitism and enforcing Title VI regulations.

In response, Harvard faculty and the American Association of University Professors have filed a lawsuit. They seek a temporary restraining order against the funding freeze. The lawsuit claims the administration is violating the First Amendment and trying to dictate university policy.

Harvard has an endowment of $53.2 billion. It now finds itself at the center of a standoff between elite academic institutions and the federal government.