“We stand for truth”: Harvard sues Trump admin over federal funding freeze

A gate leading to Harvard Yard at Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts is shown in this photograph taken on July 8, 2020 (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images).

The nation’s oldest university is gearing up for a legal battle. Harvard has taken legal action against President Donald Trump’s administration, accusing the Department of Education of violating the institution’s constitutional rights by freezing funding. This lawsuit is the latest development in an ongoing dispute between Harvard and the Trump administration. The Department of Education imposed conditions on Harvard’s federal funding, aimed at making the institution more conservative, and announced a $2.2 billion cut in grants when Harvard refused to comply. Additionally, the university faces a proposed $1 billion cut in research funding. Harvard President Alan Garber stated that the lawsuit aims to challenge “improper government interference.” He emphasized that colleges and universities have a duty to fulfill their societal roles while honoring legal obligations. The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration sought to impose viewpoint-based conditions on Harvard’s funding to stifle free speech on campuses. Harvard’s legal team also refuted claims that the funding cuts were related to antisemitism at the university, arguing that the government’s actions violate Harvard’s constitutional rights by attempting to control its academic programs.