Harvard University refuses to comply with the Trump administration's demands, citing constitutional rights. The demands threaten More than $2 billion in federal funding. The university asserts its independence and commitment to academic freedom.
The US Department of Education on Monday froze more than $2 billion in federal funding for Harvard University, just hours after the school rejected President Donald Trump라이브 바카라 demands for sweeping changes to its diversity policies and campus governance
The Donald Trump administration's Joint Task Force to Fight Antisemitism said it is freezing more than USD 2 billion in multi-year grants and contracts to Harvard University in Massachusetts.
The Trump administration has stopped federal funding for Ivy League universities, except for the University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth College, due to an investigation into anti-Israel demonstrations on campuses since October 2023.
President Trump had signed an executive order cracking down on antisemitism, particularly on college campuses. The order threatens to deport foreign students who sympathise with Hamas or any other terrorist organisation or pro-Palestine activities. Critics argue it violates free speech, while supporters consider it important for the protection of Jewish students.
The task force said, "Harvard's statement today supports the troubling title mindset that is widespread in our nation's most prestigious universities and colleges - that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws."
It further declared, “The disturbance of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years is not acceptable. The harassment of Jewish students won’t be tolerated.”
The task force announced a freeze on USD 2.2 billion in multi-year grants and USD 60 million in multi-year contract value to Harvard University.
Obama commends Harvard for defending academic freedom against government pressure.
Obama wrote on X, “Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate, and mutual respect. Let라이브 바카라 hope other institutions follow suit.”
US Senator for Vermont Bernie Sanders wrote, “Congratulations to Harvard for refusing to relinquish its constitutional rights to Trump라이브 바카라 authoritarianism. Other universities should follow their lead. And instead of doing pro bono work for Trump, cowardly law firms should be defending those who believe in the rule of law.”
President Alan M Garber's said that the school would not follow the administration's demands despite the possibility of the Ivy League school losing federal funding. Government. Harvard. The federal government has threatened its partnerships with several universities, including Harvard, due to charges of anti-semitism on their campuses.
He further stated that the Trump administration issued an updated and expanded list of demands, saying if the school wants to maintain financial ties with the federal government, it must obey.
Garber further wrote, “Late Friday night, the administration issued an updated and expanded list of demands, warning that Harvard must obey if we intend to 'maintain [our] financial relationship with the federal government'. It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner. Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the 'intellectual conditions' at Harvard.”
“We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement. The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Garber wrote in the letter.
Alan M Garber has already informed the administration that they are not going to accept their proposed agreement.