Trump task force reviewing billions in Harvard funding
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The Veritas shield with wreath and banner on Stone House at Harvard University on March 17 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Photo: Scott Eisen/Getty Images
Harvard has been placed under investigation by the Trump administration over allegations that the school hasn't done enough to address antisemitism on campus, according to a letter sent to the school on Monday.
Why it matters: Some $9 billion in federal grants and contracts between the university and the U.S. government will be reviewed and could potentially be cut.
- The prospective cuts are the latest example of the administration's crackdown on antisemitism and follows a similar probe at Columbia University, which ultimately conceded to some demands from the government to prevent over $400 million from being removed.
Driving the news: The Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. General Services Administration announced the review, which will be conducted by the administration's Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism.
- The task force could issue "stop work orders" for contracts, a statement from the agencies said.
- "Any institution found to be in violation of federal compliance standards may face administrative actions, including contract termination," the statement said.
- "Harvard can right these wrongs and restore itself to a campus dedicated to academic excellence and truth-seeking, where all students feel safe on its campus," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement.
By the numbers: The review will include more than $8.7 billion in "multiyear grant commitments" to Harvard and its affiliates and more than $255.6 million in contracts between Harvard, its affiliates and the federal government.
What they're saying: Harvard president Alan Garber said in a post to the school community later Monday that if the funding is stopped, "it will halt life-saving research and innovation."
- He said the university has "devoted considerable effort" over the past 15 months to addressing antisemitism, including by strengthening rules and disciplinary actions, enhancing trainings and introducing new safety measures.
- "We will engage with members of the federal government's task force to combat antisemitism to ensure that they have a full account of the work we have done and the actions we will take going forward to combat antisemitism," Garber said.
- He added "we are not perfect," noting that "we acknowledge our shortcomings" and "pursue needed change" as an institution.
State of play: The Trump administration's attacks on university funding have prompted job cuts and could potentially undercut the U.S. as a powerhouse for technological and scientific research.
- In addition to antisemitism, the administration has targeted colleges for their diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
- Harvard is among a list of 60 colleges and universities under investigation for allegations of antisemitic harassment and discrimination.
Flashback: Harvard was one of dozens of sites of pro-Palestinian encampments last year following heated congressional testimony over antisemitism in 2023.
- The university in January settled a lawsuit with students claiming that Harvard allowed antisemitism on campus.
Zoom out: Princeton University's president has been one of the few leaders of high profile schools to publicly speak out about the Trump administration's attacks on university funding.
- "The Trump administration's recent attack on Columbia University .... [presents] the greatest threat to American universities since the Red Scare of the 1950s," Princeton president Christopher Eisgruber wrote in The Atlantic. "Every American should be concerned."
- Eisgruber said "recent events have raised legitimate concerns about anti-Semitism at Columbia," adding: "The government can respond to those concerns without infringing on academic freedom."
Go deeper:
- Trump's college funding threats can't be offset by their endowments
- Columbia caves to Trump demands to regain $400 million in funding
- Harvard offers free tuition for some students
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Harvard president Alan Garber and details of Princeton's stance.
