Gladness Gideon
Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the Ivy League institution and the Republican-led government. The legal action, filed on Monday in a Massachusetts federal court, challenges what Harvard describes as an unlawful and politically motivated attempt to control its academic affairs by threatening its federal funding.
At the heart of the dispute is the Trump administration’s decision to freeze $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard, citing the university’s alleged tolerance of anti-Semitism and its refusal to comply with new political oversight measures on admissions, hiring, and diversity initiatives.
“This case involves the Government’s efforts to use the withholding of federal funding as leverage to gain control of academic decision-making at Harvard,” the lawsuit stated. It further condemned the actions as “arbitrary and capricious,” asserting they violated not only the First Amendment but also federal laws governing academic independence.
Trump, who has publicly attacked Harvard in recent weeks, intensified his criticism via his Truth Social platform, branding the university “a joke” and accusing it of promoting “hate and stupidity.” The administration has defended its actions by pointing to recent anti-Israel protests on U.S. college campuses, which it claims have been marked by anti-Semitism.
Despite disciplinary action taken by Harvard, including placing 23 students on probation and denying degrees to 12 others, the government has moved forward with punitive measures. These include threats from the Department of Homeland Security to restrict Harvard’s ability to admit international students — who currently represent over 27 percent of the school’s student body — unless records of visa holders’ alleged “illegal and violent activities” are surrendered.
READ ALSO: Trump Administration May Shut 30 US Embassies, Consulates Globally
Harvard President Alan Garber has firmly rejected the administration’s demands. “We will not negotiate over our independence or our constitutional rights,” Garber said last week, adding that the university is actively working to combat discrimination, including anti-Semitism.
The lawsuit calls for an immediate reversal of the funding freeze and seeks legal recognition that the Trump administration’s actions are unconstitutional. It also requests the government cover Harvard’s legal costs.
As one of the most prominent and wealthiest academic institutions globally, Harvard’s legal challenge could set a precedent for how far federal authorities can go in influencing the governance of private universities.
The case is likely to trigger broader discussions on academic freedom, free speech, and the boundaries of federal intervention in education, as more universities navigate growing political scrutiny from Washington.