Harvard sues Trump administration over $2.2 billion funding freeze

Harvard University is suing the Trump administration to block a $2.2 billion federal grant freeze, calling it retaliation for refusing demands to curb campus activism and implement political reforms.

In Short

• Harvard sues Trump admin over $2.2B grant freeze
• Trump demands reforms, audits, and club bans at Harvard
• Harvard refuses to limit campus activism, funding frozen

Harvard University filed a lawsuit on Monday against the Trump administration, seeking an immediate halt to the federal government’s freeze on more than $2.2 billion in grant funding.

The legal move escalates a rapidly intensifying standoff between one of the nation’s most prestigious universities and the White House, following President Trump’s calls for sweeping institutional changes at the Ivy League school.

"Over the course of the past week, the federal government has taken several actions following Harvard’s refusal to comply with its illegal demands," Harvard President Alan Garber said in a statement.

"Moments ago, we filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government's authority," Garber said.

Harvard's lawsuit named several US government agencies, including the Departments of Education, Health, Justice, Energy, and the General Services Administration.

“The Government has not — and cannot — identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation,” the university wrote in its lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court.

“Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvard’s research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress,” it added.

In a letter to Harvard earlier this month, Trump’s administration had called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university, as well as changes to its admissions policies. It also demanded the university audit views of diversity on campus, and stop recognizing some student clubs.

Harvard President Alan Garber said the university would not bend to the government’s demands to limit activism on campus. Hours later, the government froze billions of dollars in federal funding.

Trump Escalates War of Words

The dispute exploded into the public arena last week when Trump labeled Harvard a “disgrace” and “a joke,” claiming the university is failing to address antisemitism and instead harboring "woke" ideology.

“They're obviously anti-Semitic, and all of a sudden they're starting to behave,” Trump said, reiterating his criticism of what he called Harvard’s “all-woke” faculty. “I think Harvard is a disgrace.”

On Tuesday, Trump also took to social media to suggest even more punitive measures, writing that he would push to strip the university of its tax-exempt status unless it stops promoting what he described as “political, ideological, and terrorist-inspired/supporting sickness.”

IRS officials have reportedly begun preparing a review of Harvard’s nonprofit designation — a move that could cost the institution millions annually.