Harvard expanded its lawsuit against the Trump administration on Tuesday hours after the government said it had ended about $450 million in research funding for schools.
The battle between the administration and the country's oldest university has intensified since April 11 when the government sent a list of false requests to Harvard University. After the university refused to comply, the government frozen over $2 billion in grants and urged the school to sue in federal court in Boston.
However, the lawsuit did little to make the federal government a cow. Last Monday, Education Secretary Linda McMahon warned Harvard University would apply for federal grants “as nothing is provided.”
In an amended lawsuit Tuesday, Harvard said it had “doubled” its tactics as the government “cranked down, investigated and threats to fundraising that hurt students in all states across the country and around the world.” At least half a dozen federal departments and agencies sent out notifications last week about the grant ending, according to the university.
McMahon's letter, according to the university, other government actions remained exposed to widespread disruption in Harvard's research work with Harvard University. “Faculty, staff and students supported by funds whose salary has been frozen or terminated don't know when or whether existing funds will be reopened or available in the future.”
Harvard's new accusations are based on an incident filed by the university on April 21, which allegedly trampled on the First Amendment and the Administrative Procedure Act, the law governing federal agencies' actions.
The Trump administration has called for Harvard to make changes to admissions and employment, submit audits, provide new reports to the government, “quickly shutter” programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion, and commission an investigation into “programs and departments that reflect the capture of most anti-Semitic harassment or ideological.”
Tuesday's filing suggests Harvard is fighting back and pursuing two tracks.
In a letter to McMahon on Monday, Harvard President Alan M. Gerber used a measured tone in honor. Dr. Gerber wrote that there is a “common basis” between the university and the administration, and he described Harvard's efforts to improve that culture. However, in the same letter he wrote that Harvard's efforts are “defeated, threatened and threatened by the overreach of federal private universities to constitutional freedom.”
Subsequently, Tuesday's submission comes, adding to the fight the university hopes federal judges will settle this summer. Harvard is calling for government moves against government research funding, effectively regaining funding flows.
Legal experts say they believe the Harvard incident is strong, but added that the government could probably still find a way to cut off funds.
Harvard is the country's wealthiest university, but officials there warn that federal cuts could have devastating consequences on campus and beyond. During Harvard's 2024 fiscal year, the federal government spent about $687 million on university research projects. This accounts for around 11% of the university's revenue.
In a letter last week, McMahon said Harvard University is a “publicly funded institution.” She suggested it relies more on its own funds, saying that university contributions of more than $53 billion will give a “head start.” (However, many of Harvard's contributions are tied to limited funds, and officials say they are not free to reuse the money.)
Before Harvard submitted its updated filing on Tuesday, the Trump administration's task force on anti-Semitism issued a statement accusing the government of failing to resolve “wide-rising racism and anti-Semitic harassment” that officials said were “troubling” campus.
“There is a dark issue on Harvard campus, and by prioritizing settlements against accountability, institutional leaders have confiscated the school's claims for taxpayer support,” the task force said.
The university did not immediately comment on the statement. This included an announcement that $450 million would be withheld.
Instead, Harvard added more to the lawsuit.
