Trump considers canceling $3 billion funding to Harvard University

Trump considers canceling $3 billion funding to Harvard University

The Trump administration has threatened to cancel $3 billion in federal funding to Harvard University, citing concerns about anti-Semitism, pro-Hamas sympathies, and discriminatory diversity policies. The move comes as part of a broader political and ideological conflict between the administration and elite US institutions.

On May 26, 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced that it would terminate $60 million in federal grants to Harvard University due to the institution's alleged failure to address anti-Semitic harassment and race discrimination on campus [2]. This action follows earlier moves by the Trump administration to defund Harvard's research and freeze $3 billion in grants [1].

The administration has accused Harvard of perpetuating an unsafe campus environment that is hostile to Jewish students, promoting pro-Hamas sympathies, and employing discriminatory diversity policies. Harvard has called the move "unlawful" and a serious threat to its academic and research mission, warning that it undermines not only the institution but also the US higher education system as a whole [1].

The decision to terminate the grants could have significant financial implications for Harvard, which relies heavily on federal funding for its research and operations. International students, who contribute significantly to tuition revenue, are also at risk due to the administration's revocation of Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students [1].

Critics argue that the move is a politically motivated overreach, while supporters of the administration maintain that it is a necessary step to uphold civil rights in higher education. The legal authority of the government in this matter lies with the Department of Homeland Security, which has the authority to certify or decertify universities under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) [1].

Harvard has already filed lawsuits over previous actions and is expected to challenge the latest move in court. The administration has warned that similar actions could be taken against other institutions, including Columbia University [1].

The impact of this decision on Harvard's financial and academic standing remains to be seen, but it is clear that the Trump administration's actions have put the prestigious university under significant pressure.

References:
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/us/explainer-what-trump-administrations-visa-ban-means-for-harvard-university-and-its-students/articleshow/121350696.cms
[2] https://au.news.yahoo.com/harvard-university-loses-another-93m-041131892.html