Harvard Seeks Restoration of $2.6B Federal Funding in Legal Battle with Trump Administration

Harvard University is engaged in a legal battle with the Trump administration over a $2.6 billion federal funding freeze, which the university claims is illegal and threatens its scientific and medical research programs. The administration argues that Harvard violated directives to combat antisemitism and has the authority to cancel grants if an institution fails to align with government priorities. Government attorneys maintain that Harvard, as the wealthiest university, should comply or lose funding, which could be redirected to other universities that do not discriminate. Harvard's lawyers counter that the government is improperly trying to control the university's internal affairs and that the funding cuts could severely damage research and careers. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs questioned the government's basis for the grant cancellations, emphasizing the need for evidence of antisemitism in the research affected. The administration also concluded that Harvard failed to protect Jewish students from harassment, prompting the threat to cut all federal funding if corrective actions are not taken.