Judge Orders Harvard Funds Reinstated; Trump Near $500M Deal

President Trump said the administration is "very close" to finalizing a deal with Harvard that would restore billions in federal research grants in exchange for roughly $500 million and commitments to run Harvard‑operated trade schools teaching AI, engines and other vocational skills, but he acknowledged the agreement still needs to be "papered" and Harvard has not confirmed it. The announcement follows the administration's spring freeze of about $2.2–$2.4 billion in Harvard research funding over alleged failures to address antisemitism; a federal judge recently ruled the freeze unlawful and ordered the funds reinstated. The White House framed the $500 million as a workforce‑development payout, and Trump said the payment would mean Harvard's "sins are forgiven," language critics say politicizes campus civil‑rights enforcement. Officials have continued administrative pressure, including an HHS referral that could bar Harvard from federal funds and congressional requests for more information, even as settlement talks resumed. The proposed pact would mirror earlier agreements with other universities, including Columbia and Brown, that involved multi‑million‑dollar payments to resolve funding disputes. Exact terms and the legal implications for academic freedom remain unclear.