WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Trump administration has moved to sever its remaining ties with Harvard University, escalating a dispute over how the institution addresses antisemitism on campus. The administration announced plans to cancel all remaining federal contracts with Harvard, valued at approximately $100 million.
The White House has criticized Harvard for what it describes as deep-rooted campus culture issues, including a lack of viewpoint diversity, racial discrimination through diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and rampant antisemitism following the October 7th attack on Israel.
“The main manifestation of antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias that we have grappled with has to do with social exclusion. It has to do with shunning,” Harvard’s President Alan Garber told NPR.
Garber also acknowledged the administration’s other concerns but disagreed with its approach.
“We agree that some of these problems, we absolutely need to address,” noted Garber. “What is perplexing is the measure that they have taken to address these that don’t even hit the same people that they are causing the problems…Why cut off research funding? Sure, it hurts Harvard, but it hurts the country.”
In April, the executive branch froze $2.2 billion of federal funding to Harvard, and on Monday, President Trump threatened to withhold an additional $3 billion and give the funding instead to trade schools.
Leo Terrell, head of the DOJ Antisemitism Task Force, explained on Fox News, “How did we get here? Because we have tolerated antisemitism for the last four years. And the Trump administration, thank God President Trump is in office, is not going to tolerate it.”
Experts predict that Harvard will likely win the frozen federal funds in court, as they are competitive grants awarded by Congress. However, the funds remain tied up in litigation as long as the court battle lasts, severely impacting Harvard’s research capabilities.
As further punishment, the administration recently barred Harvard from admitting international students, though a judge temporarily blocked the order.
The issue of international students extends beyond Harvard, as the State Department has paused student visa interviews while considering the inclusion of social media reviews in its vetting process.