Harvard University has announced it will take legal action against the Trump administration to block a freeze of more than $2.2 billion (2 billion euros) in federal grants.
The university’s lawsuit comes after it declared its intention to resist the administration’s demands to limit political activity on campus.
Earlier this month, the Trump administration sent a letter to Harvard University outlining a series of requests, including sweeping university leadership and operations, changing admissions policies and auditing diversity initiatives.
The administration also urged Harvard to revoke awareness of certain student organizations.
Harvard President Alan Gerber has made it clear that the university will not comply with these directives. Shortly afterwards, the federal government imposed a multi-billion dollar freeze on funding for institutions.
During last year’s campaign, Trump pledged to target university federal funding cuts that promote what is called “critical racial theory, transgender insanity, and other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content.”
Last week, university professors and students organized protests on campuses around the country, expressing their opposition to what they call a widespread attack on higher education.
The protest was sparked by concerns over major funding cuts, the expulsion of international students and efforts to curb freedom of speech, particularly in relation to the war debate in Gaza.
Republican officials focus on universities where Palestinian protests broke out in response to the war in Gaza, with several Ivy League presidents testifying before Congress regarding anti-Semitism allegations.
Trump and other officials were named “Prohama,” referring to the Palestinian extremist group responsible for the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. However, many protesters say they are protesting Israeli military action in Gaza rather than supporting Hamas.
The US government is also leveraging immigration enforcement to target international students and academics who have participated in Palestinian demonstrations or criticized Israeli actions in Gaza. After the visa was revoked, some were detained, deported or fled the United States.
