Harvard heads to court, pushing back against Trump’s unprecedented offensive

When the government allocates resources to a school, the public usually views it as a charitable act. However, Harvard University did not receive federal funds as charity, but through competitive scholarly research grants. Despite this, Donald Trump’s administration halted these grants as part of a retaliatory campaign. Harvard responded by filing a lawsuit accusing the administration of violating federal laws and the First Amendment. The lawsuit demands the government reverse any funding terminations and declares the president’s ‘freeze order’ unconstitutional. The White House defended its actions by criticizing Harvard’s use of federal assistance, but Harvard contends the freeze will harm American innovation and progress. The dispute escalated when Harvard refused to comply with unreasonable demands from the administration, resulting in the freezing of billions in federal research funding. The case is now in the hands of U.S. District Court Judge Allison Burroughs, an Obama appointee.