Federal Judge Restores $2.6B Harvard Research Funding After Trump Cuts

A federal judge in Boston ordered the Trump administration to reverse its cuts of more than $2.6 billion in research funding for Harvard University, ruling the actions were illegal retaliation after Harvard rejected White House demands for changes to its governance and policies. The judge found that the administration used allegations of antisemitism as a pretext for an ideologically motivated attack on the university, which had little connection to the federally funded research programs. The ruling protects academic freedom and free speech by barring the administration from further terminating or freezing funds without due process. Despite this significant legal victory for Harvard, the government plans to immediately appeal the decision, and the restoration of funds remains uncertain. President Trump has insisted Harvard pay no less than $500 million in a potential settlement, while Harvard emphasizes the importance of fighting antisemitism without government interference in university affairs. The conflict highlights the broader clash between the administration and elite educational institutions over governance, admissions, and political expression.