DHS Secretary Kristi Noem cuts $2.7M in Harvard grants, demands visa records
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem made a bold move on Wednesday by canceling $2.7 million in DHS grants to Harvard University. In a strongly worded statement, Noem declared that Harvard was “unfit to be entrusted with taxpayer dollars” and announced the termination of two grants for the elite Massachusetts Ivy League institution.
Noem emphasized that Harvard’s campus has been tainted by “anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology” that has infiltrated its classrooms and poisoned the learning environment. She expressed disappointment in the university’s failure to uphold the standards expected of institutions receiving federal funding.
The canceled grants included an $800,303 award for “Implementation Science for Targeted Violence Prevention,” which classified conservatives as far-right extremists, and a $1,934,902 grant for the “Blue Campaign Program Evaluation and Violence Advisement,” which funded public health messaging that was deemed ideologically skewed by Noem’s office.
President Donald Trump had previously frozen $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard and requested the IRS to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status. The IRS is currently reviewing Harvard’s nonprofit designation, although a final decision has not yet been made.
In a scathing social media post, Trump criticized Harvard’s leadership and faculty, accusing them of promoting “Hate and Stupidity” and calling for an end to federal funding for the institution. The DHS action is part of a broader federal crackdown on campus antisemitism following a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.
Harvard has faced backlash for antisemitic rhetoric and protests involving students and faculty in the aftermath of the attack. Noem’s letter referenced concerns about the conduct of foreign visa-holding individuals on campus and called for Harvard to provide documentation of their behavior.
With a staggering $53.2 billion endowment, Harvard is one of the wealthiest institutions globally, leading DHS to question why it relies on taxpayer money if it fails to meet federal standards for student conduct and institutional accountability.
The Department of Education has also launched a review of federal contracts and grants involving Harvard and its affiliates, totaling over $255.6 million and nearly $9 billion, respectively. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon expressed concern over Harvard’s failure to protect students from discrimination and divisive ideologies.
This action against Harvard comes shortly after a similar crackdown on Columbia University, as the federal government ramps up enforcement on institutions that are seen as neglecting civil rights and national security obligations.
Harvard has not yet responded publicly to the termination of the grants or the DHS demand for records. Noem’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The move by DHS reflects a commitment to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are allocated to institutions that uphold federal standards and prioritize student safety and academic integrity. As the investigation unfolds, the future of Harvard’s federal funding and tax-exempt status remains uncertain.
