Harvard Community pushes back on a deal with Trump
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There's mounting resistance around Cambridge as Harvard weighs paying $500 million to the Trump administration to restore federal funding.
Why it matters: Harvard is the last major university challenging the administration in federal court. Its decision — to pay or not to pay — will create precedent for higher education institutions nationwide.
- This week's court ruling in Harvard's favor will likely slow down negotiations over any settlement as the case plays out in court.
State of play: A federal judge ruled this week that the White House illegally froze almost $3 billion in federal grants to Harvard.
- The ruling states the Trump administration's demands were unconstitutional and violated the university's First Amendment rights.
- The order bars the administration from issuing new freezes in retaliation against the school.
Driving the news: As the White House looks to punish Harvard with a half-billion-dollar settlement, coalitions of resistant groups have organized protest campaigns opposing any deal that compromises the school's autonomy.
The latest: Students, faculty and alumni plan to gather Saturday at 4:30pm in Harvard's Science Center Plaza to rally against any deal being made between the school and the Trump administration.
Catch up quick: President Trump publicly demanded the $500 million payment during a Cabinet meeting, telling Education Secretary Linda McMahon to refuse anything below that figure.
- $2 billion in federal research funding directed to Harvard remains frozen by the administration.
- The Trump administration secured a deal with Columbia for $221 million, and Brown committed $50 million to workforce programs.
- Trump is using the unprecedented price tag to make an example out of Harvard, the nation's oldest college and the center of some of the most vocal opposition to his administration.
By the numbers: Groups opposing a settlement have collected over 14,000 signatures opposing the president's terms.
- Over 200 students signed a Students for Freedom petition in July.
Zoom in: Student organization Students for Freedom has led some of the campus resistance efforts, staging rallies and circulating open letters since the spring.
- The group warns Harvard will sacrifice academic freedom and its institutional independence if it gives in to Trump.
An alumni group called Crimson Courage separately mobilized thousands of signatures against what they described as "extortion" attempts.
- The group's letter characterized the settlements reached by fellow Ivy League schools Columbia and Brown as "dangerous capitulation."
The bottom line: Harvard and its expansive university community are serving as a test case for educational independence under political pressure.