Harvard University sues Trump administration to stop funding freeze

Harvard University has decided to sue the Trump administration, claiming that the freezing of federal funding is illegal. The president of Harvard, Alan M Garber, announced this decision in a letter to the university community on Monday. He stated that the freeze, which amounts to $2 billion, would significantly hinder vital research on diseases. Harvard, recognized as the wealthiest university globally, recently rejected a set of demands from the Trump administration aimed at limiting diversity initiatives and addressing anti-semitism on campus. In response to the lawsuit, the White House remarked that the 'gravy train of federal assistance' was coming to an end. Other prestigious universities are also experiencing funding cuts, and a new government task force has identified at least 60 universities for review. President Trump has accused these institutions of failing to protect Jewish students during last year's protests regarding the war in Gaza and the US support for Israel. In his letter, Mr. Garber expressed concern that the government's overreach would have severe and long-lasting consequences. He highlighted that research on pediatric cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease would be adversely affected. The lawsuit filed by Harvard argues that the withholding of federal funding violates the university's constitutional rights and is being used as leverage to control academic decision-making at the institution. The Trump administration has indicated that an additional $1 billion in federal funding could also be suspended. Harvard typically receives around $9 billion annually, primarily for research purposes. The university's tax-exempt status and its ability to enroll international students may also be at risk. Mr. Garber, who is Jewish, acknowledged that there have been issues with anti-semitism on Harvard's campus in Massachusetts, but he emphasized that he has established task forces to address these concerns. He mentioned that the university would soon release the findings of two task forces that investigated anti-semitism and anti-Muslim bias. Additionally, the Trump administration has targeted other private Ivy League institutions, including suspending $1 billion in funding at Cornell University and $510 million at Brown University. Federal funding plays a crucial role in supporting new scientific breakthroughs at these universities. Some institutions, such as Columbia University, which was at the center of pro-Palestinian protests last year, have agreed to some of the demands after being threatened with a loss of $400 million in federal funds. The demands made to Harvard included agreeing to government-approved external audits of the university's curriculum and data on hiring and admissions. In response, Harvard issued a strong letter rejecting what it described as a 'takeover' by the federal government. Former President Barack Obama, a Harvard alumnus, has publicly supported the university, calling the funding freeze unlawful. The White House responded later that evening, stating that the 'gravy train of federal assistance' to institutions like Harvard, which they claim enriches overpaid bureaucrats with taxpayer dollars, is coming to an end. They emphasized that taxpayer funds are a privilege and that Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege. A Gallup poll conducted last summer indicated that confidence in higher education has been declining among Americans of all political backgrounds. This decline is partly attributed to a growing belief that universities promote a political agenda, with the decrease being particularly pronounced among Republicans.