$2.2 Billion Freeze Prompts Harvard Lawsuit

Govind Tekale

Harvard University has sued the Trump administration over a $2.2 billion federal funding freeze that threatens vital medical research on cancer, Alzheimer's, and infectious diseases.

Photo Source: EllenSeptember (CC BY 2.0)

The White House demanded Harvard eliminate diversity programs, ban masks at protests, and submit to government oversight of hiring and admissions – demands the university flatly rejected.

Photo Source: John Phelan (CC BY-SA 3.0)

The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights," wrote Harvard President Alan Garber, arguing the administration vastly exceeded its authority.

Photo Source: John Phelan (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Jewish students at Harvard signed an open letter opposing the funding cuts, saying they feel like "pawns in a broader political agenda" despite concerns about campus antisemitism.

Photo Source: Jonathan Schilling (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Beyond the initial freeze, the Trump administration reportedly plans to withhold another $1 billion in funding and potentially revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status.

Photo Source: Gage Skidmore (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Other elite universities face similar pressure – Columbia already changed policies after funding threats, while Princeton, Cornell, and Northwestern have had funds paused.

Photo Source: Craig.Lundsten (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Former Harvard President Larry Summers, despite previously criticizing the university's handling of antisemitism, warned: "An enemies list did not work for President Nixon. It won't for President Trump.

Photo Source: World Economic Forum (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey called the threat to Harvard's nonprofit status "outrageous" and part of Trump's "playbook to silence critics.

Photo Source: Maura Healey (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

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