In a dramatic escalation, the U.S. government has frozen $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard University after the institution refused to comply with a series of sweeping demands aimed at tackling alleged anti-Semitism on campus.
This move came shortly after Harvard rejected a detailed list of conditions sent by the White House, which included shutting down diversity offices, cooperating with immigration authorities, and altering governance, hiring, and admissions policies.
Federal Response to Harvard’s Refusal
The freeze includes:
- $2.2 billion in multi-year federal grants
- An additional $60 million in government contracts
The action was announced by the Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, stating:
“Harvard’s resistance highlights the dangerous entitlement mindset prevalent in elite universities — the idea that federal funding doesn’t require adherence to civil rights laws.”
The task force emphasized the urgency of tackling harassment against Jewish students and restoring academic environments conducive to safe and inclusive learning.
Harvard’s Defiance: “We Will Not Negotiate Our Independence”
In a public letter to students and faculty, Harvard President Alan Garber firmly defended the university’s position, stating:
“We will not negotiate over our independence or our constitutional rights. No administration should dictate who we can hire, admit, or what we can teach.”
Garber acknowledged the seriousness of the issue but insisted that many of the government’s demands exceed its legal authority.
Harvard, which reported a $6.5 billion revenue and $45 million surplus last year, made the full list of White House demands public, including a proposed audit of faculty and student views.
Growing Federal Scrutiny of US Campuses
This decision is part of a broader federal crackdown:
- In March 2025, the Department of Education opened investigations into 60 colleges over allegations of anti-Semitic harassment and discrimination.
- Harvard had already been under review for up to $9 billion in federal funding before the latest freeze.
Political Reactions: Harvard vs Columbia
The Harvard standoff contrasts sharply with Columbia University, which faced a $400 million funding cut last year but complied with federal directives by:
- Overhauling its student disciplinary policy
- Hiring 36 new security officers
Meanwhile, top Republican Elise Stefanik, a vocal advocate against anti-Semitism in higher education, demanded full defunding of Harvard, calling it:
“The epitome of moral and academic rot.”
Immigration Fallout: Columbia Protest Leaders Targeted
In parallel to the funding freeze, immigration officials have acted against two organizers of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia:
- Mahmoud Khalil is facing deportation proceedings.
- Mohsen Mahdawi was arrested on Monday while attending a U.S. citizenship interview.
The Bigger Picture: Protests and Accusations
Campuses nationwide have been deeply polarized since the Israel-Gaza war, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which the U.S. government classifies as a terrorist organization.
Protests erupted across universities in 2024, some turning violent, with accusations from Republican leaders that activists were supporting Hamas.
Summary
| Key Issue | Harvard’s refusal to comply with White House anti-Semitism demands |
|---|---|
| Funding Impact | $2.2B in grants + $60M in contracts frozen |
| Federal Agency | Trump’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism |
| Harvard Stance | “Will not compromise constitutional freedoms” |
| Political Reaction | Republicans demand full defunding of elite colleges |
