The Trump administration has frozen $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University after the institution rejected government demands regarding antisemitism policies.
The funding freeze came shortly after Harvard President Alan Garber publicly refused to comply with the administration's requirements.
"The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights," Garber stated in a letter.
The Education Department's task force on combating antisemitism responded that federal funding comes "with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws".
The Trump administration has frozen $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University after the institution rejected government demands regarding antisemitism policies
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The White House claimed Harvard had "failed to live up to both the intellectual and civil rights conditions that justify federal investment".
Garber elaborated that whilst Harvard does not "take lightly" its obligation to fight antisemitism, the government was overstepping its authority.
"The administration's prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government," he wrote.
In his strongly worded response, Garber claimed the government's request "violates Harvard's First Amendment rights".
He further stated that the demands "exceed" the government's authority and "threaten our values as a private institution".
Harvard maintains it can address the antisemitism concerns without surrendering institutional autonomy.
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The White House letter outlined ten categories of changes required for Harvard to maintain its "financial relationship with the federal government".
These proposals include reducing power held by students and untenured faculty.
Harvard would also need to report students to the federal government who are deemed "hostile" to American values.
Another requirement involves hiring an external government-approved party to audit programmes and departments "that most fuel antisemitic harassment".
The administration had previously announced in March it was reviewing approximately $256 million in federal contracts and grants at Harvard.
An additional $8.7 billion in multi-year grant commitments was also under review.
President Donald Trump has intensified pressure on universities to address antisemitism and end diversity practices since returning to the White House.
He has accused leading universities of failing to protect Jewish students and harbouring institutional left-wing bias.
The administration previously pulled $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University.
Columbia was accused of failing to fight antisemitism and protect Jewish students on its campus.
Students walk through Harvard UniversityReutersEducation Secretary Linda McMahon stated at the time: "Universities must comply with all federal antidiscrimination laws if they are going to receive federal funding".
Columbia subsequently agreed to several of the administration's demands.
This decision drew criticism from some students and faculty who viewed it as compromising academic independence.
In response to the funding freeze, Harvard professors have filed a lawsuit against the government.
The legal action alleges the administration is "unlawfully attacking freedom of speech and academic freedom".
