Trump Halts Harvard Research Grants Amid Crackdown

The Trump administration has halted all new federal research grants to Harvard University, threatening further actions such as revoking Harvard's tax-exempt status and its ability to enroll international students. Education Secretary Linda McMahon accused Harvard of legal violations, mismanagement, and failing to address antisemitism and campus unrest, referencing recent plagiarism scandals and discrimination claims. The administration's measures follow Harvard's refusal to comply with federal demands on admissions, hiring, and handling of protests, particularly amid campus demonstrations after the October 2023 Hamas attack. Harvard has filed lawsuits against the government, arguing that the grant freezes are unrelated to research and will harm critical academic and medical projects. The dispute highlights broader efforts by the Trump administration to tighten oversight of elite higher education institutions. While research funding is frozen, student financial aid remains unaffected for now.