Trump Administration Cuts $60M in Harvard Grants Over Antisemitism Claims
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is pulling $60 million in federal grants from Harvard University after accusing the school of failing to deal with antisemitic harassment and race discrimination. “Federal funds must support institutions that protect all students,” the department said. The move is part of a broader crackdown by President Trump’s administration, which has already frozen billions in research funds to the Ivy League school.
The conflict between the government and the school began earlier this year due to tensions that rose over pro-Palestinian protests on campus and allegations that Harvard ignored antisemitic behavior. Trump has pushed to overhaul elite universities, criticizing what he calls “radical left” ideologies and “anti-American” values. The administration demanded that a large number of changes should be made at Harvard — including scrapping diversity programs and agreeing to an external audit — but the university has refused to implement the changes. Harvard is now suing the administration, arguing that the funding cuts violate federal law and protections of free speech.
With the lack of funding from the government, Harvard says it will cover research costs using $250 million from its own funds. Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the school a “mockery” of higher education and said it should rely on its endowment and wealthy alumni instead of government funding.
