A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration acted unlawfully when it cut about $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard University. This decision, made by U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston, is a significant win for Harvard as it faces ongoing tensions with the White House.
The judge’s ruling comes amid a broader conflict between the Trump administration and several prestigious universities, including Harvard. The administration has been accused of using allegations of antisemitism on campuses as a pretext for targeting these institutions. Judge Burroughs described the administration’s actions as a politically motivated attack on leading universities.
Harvard has been at the center of this dispute, particularly following anti-Israel protests that intensified after the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. In response, the Trump administration sought to leverage federal funding to push for changes at Harvard and other universities, claiming they were not doing enough to address antisemitism.
During a Cabinet meeting, President Trump demanded that Harvard pay $500 million as part of a settlement, expressing frustration with the university’s handling of the situation. The administration’s earlier actions included canceling numerous grants to researchers at Harvard, citing the school’s failure to adequately protect Jewish students.
In addition to cutting funding, the Trump administration has threatened to revoke Harvard’s accreditation and restrict international student admissions, which make up a significant portion of the university’s enrollment. Harvard has stated that it is committed to creating a welcoming environment for all students, including Jewish and Israeli students, who have faced increased hostility during the ongoing conflict.
Harvard President Alan Garber has argued that the administration’s demands go beyond addressing antisemitism, claiming they aim to control the university’s hiring and educational practices. The university has accused the Trump administration of retaliation against its free speech rights after it refused to comply with these demands.
This ruling from Judge Burroughs is part of a larger legal battle, as she has previously blocked the administration from preventing Harvard from hosting international students. The outcome of this case could have lasting implications for how federal funding is managed and the relationship between universities and the government.
