United States: U.S. President Donald Trump indicated on Wednesday that his administration could cut federal funds toward Harvard University because the school rejected his requirements on hiring policies, administrative oversight, and lecture limit decisions, as reported by Reuters.
Federal Funding at Risk
“And it looks like we are not going to be giving them any more grants, right Linda?” During his remarks on Wednesday, Trump made reference to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon without providing further details.
“A grant is at our discretion, and they are really not behaving well. So it’s too bad.”
Harvard University, together with the United States Education Department, failed to provide immediate comments about Trump’s recent statements.
During pro-Palestinian demonstrations against Israel’s Gaza military operations, Trump’s administration has directed its attention at Harvard University for its alleged campus antisemitism. The Palestinian militants’ attack on Israel in October 2023 sparked the Israeli military response in Gaza.
Campus Protests Ignite Political Response
Over the past few weeks, the Trump government has intensified its opposition to Harvard University. A formal investigation focusing on $9 billion in federal funding for Harvard University was launched while the Trump administration also demanded Harvard University end all diversity and equity programming and silence pro-Palestinian groups along with prohibiting protesters from using face coverings during demonstrations.
Harvard is pressured by the Trump administration to share more information about its international partnerships while facing the risk of losing tax exemptions and foreign student enrollment privileges.
Escalating Legal and Academic Tensions
The previous month, Harvard University denied multiple Trump administration proposals that the university deemed intrusive on academic freedom and free speech rights. The university filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration after the presidential team suspended over $2.3 billion in funding for the institution, and at the same time, it assumed responsibility for addressing campus discrimination.
The Trump administration utilized threats against educational institutions to slash their federal funding because of their support for pro-Palestinian demonstrations and their implementation of diversity education and climate initiatives and transgender rights policies.
A number of Jewish organizations, together with other activist groups, maintain the current administration fails to differentiate between their Gaza-focused criticism of Israel and active support for Palestinian rights from being linked to antisemitic sentiments or backing extremist views, as reported by Reuters.
Harvard University published two reports on Tuesday demonstrating that Jewish and Arab students and Muslims endured prejudice during campus protests in Massachusetts last year while students worried about social isolation because of their political positions.
The Trump administration has not started any investigations regarding Islamophobia or anti-Arab bias.