Harvard Rejects Trump’s Demands, Faces $2.3 Billion Federal Funding Cuts
- Abeera Marium Siddiqui
- April 15, 2025
- 3:58 pm
- 38
- Trending
Harvard rejects Trump’s demands in a bold move that has triggered a major response from the Trump administration. The university refused to ban face coverings, shut down DEI programs, or change how it operates. As a result, the administration froze $2.3 billion in federal funding. This includes $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts. It is one of the biggest funding freezes ever against a U.S. university.
The Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism from the U.S. Department of Education made the announcement. This came right after Harvard formally declined the demands. In a letter, Harvard said it would not give up its freedom or rights. The university’s lawyers said the demands were “beyond the power of the federal government.”
Trump’s team had a list of changes for Harvard. These included banning masks on campus, reporting foreign students who break rules, and ending diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The list also asked Harvard to hire and admit people based on “merit” and make changes to departments accused of spreading antisemitic views.
Harvard President Alan Garber spoke out strongly. He said the demands were not made honestly. In his message to the Harvard community, he said the list was part of a plan to take control over what schools teach and how they work. “Federal support should not come with control over academic freedom,” he wrote.
The Department of Education disagreed. Officials said Harvard did not follow civil rights rules. They said the university was showing an “entitlement mindset” that they believe is common at elite schools.
This battle is part of a larger federal move against campus protests. Since late 2023, when the war in Gaza sparked student protests, tension has grown. Many pro-Palestinian protests were seen by the government as antisemitic. These protests led to harsh criticism from the Trump administration.
In May 2024, more than 1,000 students and staff walked out of Harvard’s Commencement ceremony. Their protest made headlines and gave the administration more reason to push its reform plan.
Harvard is not alone in being targeted, but it is the first to push back. Columbia University lost $400 million in funding after not following new federal rules. But unlike Columbia, Harvard has refused to agree. It now stands alone as the only university saying “no” to the demands.
The situation is also affecting international students. Some students involved in protests are being deported. Many more have lost their student visas. A Harvard professor told the BBC that the school’s money gives it power to resist. “No price is too high to protect academic freedom,” he said.
At the same time, trust in universities is falling, especially among Republicans. Many people think colleges have a political agenda. The Trump administration has used this belief to support its strict approach.
Legal fights are just beginning. But Harvard’s move may change how universities respond to government pressure. For now, Harvard rejects Trump’s demands and chooses to stand its ground.
