Harvard University is suing the Trump administration one week after the federal joint antisemitism task force cut $2.2 billion in grants and contracts to the Ivy League school.
Harvard argues that the federal government is unconstitutionally punishing the Massachusetts university by forcing administrators to comply with its demands for sweeping institutional change.
“The tradeoff put to Harvard and other universities is clear: Allow the Government to micromanage your academic institution or jeopardize the institution’s ability to pursue medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions,” Harvard’s lawyers wrote in the 51-page federal lawsuit.
Monday’s filing comes one day after the Wall Street Journal reported that the Trump administration planned to withdraw an additional $1 billion in federal grants and contracts from Harvard on top of the $2.2 billion already announced. Trump administration officials were upset that the school had published a letter outlining the administration’s demands for various policy reforms intended to combat campus antisemitism.
The White House’s demands included federal audits of Harvard’s programs, agreements to assess international students based on their beliefs, and the appointment of administrators who would oversee Harvard to ensure it complies. Harvard rejected the initial demands in a public letter last Monday, prompting the multiagency antisemitism task force to pull over $2 billion in funding for Harvard.
Harvard President Alan Garber doubled down on the institution’s refusal to meet those demands, accusing the federal government of trying to impose “unprecedented and improper control” on the university.
“We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion,” Garber said on Monday afternoon.
The task force is composed of the Departments of Justice, Education, Health and Human Services, and the General Services Administration. The lawsuit names the leaders of each department and agency in addition to other administration officials.
The White House is currently reviewing nearly $9 billion in federal funding to Harvard as it investigates whether the university is adequately addressing campus antisemitism and complying with federal civil rights law.
Harvard maintains that it is committed to addressing antisemitism and to expanding intellectual and viewpoint diversity on campus. It is the first university to officially sue the Trump administration over the joint antisemitism task force’s actions, although faculty groups at Harvard have previously filed lawsuits.