Trump cuts Harvard funding after university declines action against pro-Palestinian students

Federal aid to Harvard University, one of the United States' most prestigious institutions, has been frozen after the university refused to comply with demands from President Donald Trump's administration related to campus activism and policy changes.

The US Department of Education announced the suspension of $2.3 billion in federal funds, including $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contract value.

The move comes amid increasing pressure on academic institutions to take action against pro-Palestinian demonstrations, which the administration claims contribute to anti-Semitic behavior on campuses.

The Trump administration reportedly sent a letter to Harvard on Friday, outlining several demands. Among them were calls to curtail the influence of students described as “more committed to activism than scholarship,” dismantle the university's diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, enforce a ban on face masks during protests, and implement hiring and admissions strictly based on merit.

Read: Trump administration’s crackdown forces Columbia University to expel pro-Palestinian students

Additionally, the administration urged Harvard to report any violations committed by international students to federal authorities and to appoint an external monitor to oversee all academic departments.

In response, Harvard University rejected the demands, calling them unlawful.

University President Alan M. Garber said in a statement, “We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement. The University will not surrender its independence or its constitutional rights.”

The standoff has set the stage for a high-profile clash between the federal government and the nation’s wealthiest university.

Check: Jewish students protest at Columbia University over Mahmoud Khalil’s arrest

In March, the Trump administration had already signaled its intent to review Harvard’s federal funding which,  accounts for nearly $256 million in contracts and $8.7 billion in future grant commitments, citing the institution’s alleged failure to adequately address rising incidents of anti-Semitism on campus.

Across the US, around 60 universities have received warnings to sever ties with anti-Israel groups or risk losing federal funding. Authorities are actively tracking students who participated in pro-Gaza rallies, while activists and politicians in the US have criticised Trump’s stance.