Harvard University clashed with the Trump administration in a federal courtroom this week over the abrupt cancellation of $2.5 billion in research grants, a move the White House claims addresses antisemitism on campus. The high-stakes legal battle highlights growing tensions between U.S. federal authorities and academic institutions.
During a heated two-hour hearing, Justice Department lawyer Michael Velchik argued that Harvard prioritized accommodating campus protesters over critical projects like cancer research. “The administration is committed to ensuring taxpayer funds don’t support institutions tolerating discrimination,” Velchik stated.
Harvard’s legal team countered that the funding cuts lacked justification. “There’s zero evidence linking these grants to antisemitic activities,” said university attorney Steven Lehotsky, emphasizing the impact on medical and scientific research. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs expressed skepticism about the government’s authority to terminate grants for policy reasons, calling it a “major stumbling block.”
The case emerges amid the administration’s broader campaign to reshape university policies through financial leverage. Since April, Harvard has resisted White House demands to overhaul its governance and admissions practices, positioning itself as a test case for academic independence.
Observers note the outcome could set precedents affecting $40 billion in annual federal research funding to U.S. universities. With no immediate ruling from the court, stakeholders across academia and healthcare await a decision that may redefine government-university relations.
