WASHINGTON, May 6 (Alliance News): The US Department of Education has frozen billions of dollars in future grants and aid to Harvard University, demanding sweeping changes in policies related to antisemitism, race-based admissions, and ideological diversity, a senior department official confirmed on Monday.
In a stern letter, Education Secretary Linda McMahon told Harvard that it should not expect further federal grants until it complies with the Trump administration’s demands. These include addressing antisemitism on campus, halting the use of race in admissions, and hiring more conservative faculty members.
“This letter is to inform you that Harvard should no longer seek grants from the federal government since none will be provided,” McMahon stated, marking the latest in a series of aggressive actions by the Trump administration using federal funding as leverage to enforce its policy objectives.
Harvard, the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university, sharply rebuked the move, calling it an “illegal government overreach” that threatens lifesaving research and infringes upon academic freedom. A university spokesperson said Harvard would continue to fight back against “unprecedented” federal interference.
The freeze follows a broader review of nearly $9 billion in federal funding and comes amid ongoing pro-Palestinian protests on campus that the administration has labeled antisemitic. Some protestors, including Jewish advocacy groups, have denied these claims, asserting that criticism of Israeli policies should not be equated with antisemitism.
Harvard previously rejected several Trump administration demands, prompting the Department of Education to suspend $2.3 billion in funding. The university has since filed a lawsuit challenging the funding freeze, warning of dire consequences for medical and scientific research, student support, and public safety.
Despite its $53 billion endowment, Harvard says much of that money is restricted and cannot replace the federal funding used for critical research and financial aid.
The administration’s move is seen as part of a broader strategy to reshape academic institutions by linking federal funds to ideological and political compliance, raising serious constitutional and legal concerns.
