Trump admin slashes over $2.2B in funding to Harvard after school defies demands

The Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism has taken a bold stance against Harvard University in Massachusetts, freezing over $2 billion in multi-year grants and contracts. This decision came after Harvard’s president, Alan M. Garber, released a statement indicating that the school would not comply with the administration’s demands regarding antisemitism.

In response to Harvard’s refusal to comply, the task force expressed deep concern over what they described as an “entitlement mindset” prevalent in prestigious universities. They emphasized that federal investment should come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws, and that the harassment of Jewish students on campuses is unacceptable. As a result, the task force announced a freeze on $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in multi-year contract value to Harvard University.

Harvard’s decision not to comply with the Trump administration’s demands has sparked controversy and criticism. Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Harvard alumna, condemned the university for tolerating antisemitism and called for the defunding of the institution. However, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey praised Harvard for standing up to what she called a “brazen attempt to bully schools” by the administration.

The Trump administration’s actions against Harvard are part of a broader effort to combat antisemitism on college campuses. In recent months, federal funding has been suspended to several Ivy League schools and other universities under investigation for anti-Israel protests. The administration has vowed to hold universities accountable for their handling of campus antisemitism and has taken steps to detain and deport foreign students involved in anti-Israel activities.

As the situation continues to unfold, it is clear that the issue of antisemitism on college campuses is a pressing concern. The Trump administration’s efforts to address this issue are likely to have far-reaching implications for universities across the country. It remains to be seen how Harvard and other institutions will respond to these challenges and whether they will take meaningful steps to combat antisemitism in the future.