Trump froze funding for Harvard. Money to these universities may also on the chopping block

The ongoing feud between the Trump administration and elite educational institutions has escalated, with Harvard University at the center of the controversy. In mid-April, the administration announced it would cut off more than $2.2 billion in funding to Harvard, sparking a legal battle as the university filed a lawsuit against the administration, calling the funding freeze “unlawful and beyond the government’s authority.”

Harvard’s refusal to comply with the administration’s demands has led to a standoff, with the White House declaring that the university’s “gravy train of federal assistance” is coming to an end. The administration has also threatened to slash another $1 billion in federal grants and funding to Harvard.

But Harvard is not the only institution facing the wrath of the Trump administration. Columbia University in New York City has also come under fire, with plans to freeze roughly $400 million in funding. In response, Columbia has made changes, including expelling and suspending students involved in protests in support of Palestinians on campus.

Acting president Claire Shipman of Columbia issued a statement reaffirming the university’s commitment to independence and autonomy, despite pressure from the administration to implement changes. The Trump administration has also halted funding for Cornell University and Northwestern University, citing alleged civil rights violations.

Northwestern University expressed deep concern over the funding freeze, emphasizing the impact on critical research and the university’s reputation. Brown University and the University of Pennsylvania are also facing potential cuts in federal funding due to allegations of antisemitism and controversies surrounding transgender student athletes.

The Trump administration’s Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism has been at the forefront of the crackdown on elite universities, aiming to address incidents targeting Jewish students. Harvard University President Alan M. Garber has pushed back against the administration’s demands, citing unconstitutional requests to regulate intellectual conditions on campus.

The standoff between the Trump administration and elite educational institutions shows no signs of abating, with Harvard leading the charge in defending its autonomy and principles. As the legal battle continues, the future of federal funding for these universities hangs in the balance.