Trump Administration Targets Harvard Funding Amid Escalating Conflict

As tensions rise between the Trump administration and Harvard University, federal agencies are being directed to review and possibly cancel contracts worth around $100 million. The move is justified by claims of discrimination and follows a contentious legal battle over international student admissions.

The Trump administration is taking steps to review approximately $100 million in federal grants allocated to Harvard University. As part of this initiative, the Government Services Agency (GSA) plans to send out a letter to various federal agencies, urging them to identify their contracts with the prestigious institution and assess the possibility of cancelling or redirecting those funds, according to a senior White House official.

Estimates suggest that about 30 contracts with Harvard are under consideration for review. This action appears to be a continuation of the escalating tensions between the White House and the academic institution, which has long been regarded as the oldest university in the United States. Harvard has yet to respond to queries regarding the situation.

Rather than automatically revoking the grants, the White House will initiate a thorough evaluation to determine whether financial support to Harvard aligns with its administration's standards. The GSA's guidelines encourage federal agencies to terminate contracts deemed unsuitable and recommend reallocating those resources to alternative organizations.

The justification for this intense scrutiny is outlined in a draft letter, which accuses Harvard of fostering a climate of discrimination and antisemitism. An administration official clarified that potential funding cuts would not affect hospitals associated with Harvard. Agencies can advocate for continued financial support if they can demonstrate that specific federal grants are vital to their operations.

The political feud between Harvard and the Trump administration has intensified significantly over the past months. Recently, the administration rescinded Harvard's authorization to enroll international students or collaborate with foreign researchers, generating widespread uncertainty and confusion among affected students. Harvard has responded aggressively, filing a lawsuit against the administration and alleging violations of its constitutional First Amendment rights as well as contraventions of federal law.

This controversial move by the Trump administration highlights not only the ongoing turbulence in relations with academic institutions but also the potential ramifications for international students at Harvard, who are currently left in limbo following the administration’s announcements.