Harvard Loses $2.2 Billion in U.S. Funding After Defying Trump Administration

The U.S. government has halted over $2.2 billion in federal grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University, following the institution’s refusal to comply with demands from the Trump administration. The decision came after Harvard President Alan Garber publicly stated that the university would not compromise its autonomy or constitutional protections.

In a letter to students and faculty, Garber emphasized that Harvard would not bow to government pressure, asserting that the university’s independence is non-negotiable. The Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism responded with a statement, announcing the freeze on multi-year grants and contracts. The task force criticized Harvard, claiming its stance reflects an “entitlement mindset” among elite universities, suggesting they believe federal funds should come without accountability to civil rights laws.

The funding cut follows Harvard’s rejection of a series of White House directives aimed at addressing alleged anti-Semitism on campus. These included demands for policy changes, which Garber argued would undermine the university’s core principles. The Department of Education had previously launched an investigation in March into 60 colleges, including Harvard, for alleged anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination.

Prominent Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, previously praised by Trump for her scrutiny of universities on anti-Semitism issues, called for Harvard’s defunding. She described the university as a symbol of “moral and academic rot” in higher education. The freeze marks a significant escalation in tensions between the Trump administration and one of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions.