Trump’s administration demanded that Harvard change its admissions policies and make major reforms to its university governance and leadership. They’re trying to force change at universities that Republicans say have become “hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism.”

They want Harvard to eliminate everything to do with Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) and actually report to the government students who are “hostile to American values”, which seems to include protesting what Israel is doing in Gaza. They also want the school to stop recognizing and funding any student groups who promote activities or ideas that the Trump administration calls wrong, immoral, or illegal.

The U.S. Dept. of Education is freezing $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in multi-year contracts which have already been granted. This is clearly unlawful and punitive.

“The University will not surrender its independence or its constitutional rights,” said Harvard President Alan M. Garber. He added: “No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”

“‘It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner,’ he wrote. ‘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.”

“On Monday, Barack Obama posted in support of the university: ‘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. Let’s hope other institutions follow suit.'”

“Ultimately, the conflict could be settled in federal court. A faculty group has already brought a legal challenge against the demands, and many in academia expect Harvard to bring its own lawsuit.”

Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz01y9gkdm3o

Source: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2025/04/harvard-wont-comply-with-demands-from-trump-administration/

Source: https://apnews.com/article/harvard-trump-administration-federal-cuts-037c3f5b259a7577358c5979e701c7c7

Source: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/15/us/universities-responses-investigations-funding-freeze/index.html

Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/harvard-will-fight-trump-administration-demands-over-funding-2025-04-14/

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/14/trump-harvard-funding-freeze