Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over $2.2 Billion Funding Cuts

Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after the government abruptly froze $2.2 billion in federal grants, citing a breakdown in discussions over campus antisemitism and arguing the move violated both the First Amendment and federal rulemaking procedures. Harvard’s legal team contends that the administration’s actions are 'arbitrary, capricious' and fail to follow the Administrative Procedure Act, while legal experts note that no previous administration has acted so quickly or unilaterally in similar situations. The university’s defense is led by prominent attorneys, including Robert Hur, a former U.S. Attorney for Maryland, and William Burck, a Republican-connected lawyer whose dual roles have sparked criticism from the Trump camp. The case, overseen by Judge Allison Burroughs—who has previously ruled in Harvard’s favor—could set a significant precedent regarding federal authority over higher education funding. The dispute highlights broader tensions between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions, with the outcome potentially headed for the Supreme Court.