Harvard University is suing the Trump administration in an effort to reverse the federal freeze on more than $2.2billion in grants.
President Trump halted funding after the storied institution vowed to defy his administration’s demands to limit student activism on campus.
In its lawsuit, Harvard said the funding freeze was ‘arbitrary and capricious’ and violated its First Amendment rights.
‘The Government has not — and cannot — identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen,’ the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court, stated.
The research which is now at risk ‘aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation.’
Lawyers representing Harvard noted the Government has not 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.’
In a letter to Harvard earlier this month, the Trump 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 certain student clubs.
Harvard University is suing the Trump administration in an effort to reverse the federal freeze on more than $2.2billion in grants
President Trump halted funding after the storied institution vowed to defy his administration’s demands to limit student activism on campus
Harvard President Alan Garber said the university would not bend to the demands. Hours later, the government froze the billions of dollars of federal funding.
Education Department spokesperson Madi Biedermann declined to comment on the lawsuit when approached by AP.
In a statement on Monday, Garber said: ‘The consequences of the government’s overreach will be severe and long-lasting.
‘Research that the government has put in jeopardy includes efforts to improve the prospects of children who survive cancer, to understand at the molecular level how cancer spreads throughout the body, to predict the spread of infectious disease outbreaks, and to ease the pain of soldiers wounded on the battlefield.
‘As opportunities to reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease are on the horizon, the government is slamming on the brakes.’
He noted that the victims aren’t necessarily the researches and Harvard students – they will be ‘future patients and their loved ones who will suffer the heartbreak of illnesses that might have been prevented or treated more effectively.’
‘Indiscriminately slashing medical, scientific, and technological research undermines the nation’s ability to save American lives, foster American success, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation.’
In its letter dated April 11, the administration told Harvard to impose tougher discipline on protestors and to screen international students for those who are ‘hostile to the American values.’
It also called for broad leadership reforms at the university, changes to admissions policies and the removal of college recognition for some student clubs.
The university frames the government’s demands as a threat not only to the Ivy League school but to the autonomy that the Supreme Court has long granted American universities
The government demanded Harvard audit its faculty and student body to ensure wide viewpoints in every department and, if necessary, diversify by admitting additional students and hiring new faculty.
This comes on the back of rising reports of antisemitism on campuses across America, with pro-Palestine protests gripping schools and leaving some Jewish students fearing for their safety.
Garber acknowledged the concerns on Monday, writing: ‘As a Jew and as an American, I know very well that there are valid concerns about rising antisemitism.’
But he said the Trump administration’s approach was not the way to solve any perceived problem.
Last Monday, Harvard said it would not comply with the administration’s order, citing the First Amendment.
The following day, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, questioning whether the university should lose its tax-exempt status ‘if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’
The university frames the government’s demands as a threat not only to the Ivy League school but to the autonomy that the Supreme Court has long granted American universities.
For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism.
For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism
A part of that is targeting research funding which has fueled scientific breakthroughs but has become an easy source of leverage for the Trump administration.
‘Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world,’ Garber wrote Monday to the Harvard community.
‘We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion,’ he wrote. ‘That is how we achieve academic excellence, safeguard open inquiry and freedom of speech, and conduct pioneering research.’
The American Council on Education, a nonprofit with more than 1,600 member colleges and universities, applauded Harvard.
‘It has been clear for weeks that the administration’s actions violated due process and the rule of law. We applaud Harvard for taking this step and look forward to a clear and unambiguous statement by the court rebuking efforts to undermine scholarship and science,’ Ted Mitchell, the council president, said in a statement.