Washington: The administration of President Donald Trump has announced that Harvard University will no longer receive federal funding for research, intensifying its ongoing conflict with the Ivy League institution.
In a letter sent Monday, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon accused Harvard of undermining the integrity of higher education and declared that the university should no longer expect federal grants. “Harvard can operate as a private institution, relying on its vast endowment and wealthy alumni,” McMahon wrote.
This development follows the administration’s earlier freeze of approximately $2.3 billion in federal funding, citing Harvard’s alleged failure to adequately address anti-Semitism on campus. The Trump administration had issued demands that included independent audits to verify “viewpoint diversity,” which Harvard rejected as excessive government interference.
McMahon echoed frequent conservative criticisms of Harvard, accusing the university of poor academic standards and admitting foreign students who purportedly exhibit anti-American behavior. Her letter contained rhetorical questions and emphasized words in capital letters, mirroring Trump’s communication style.
The university responded by condemning the move as an illegal attempt to retaliate against its lawsuit challenging the funding freeze. A spokesperson warned that the decision could endanger crucial research projects, many of which contribute to national health and security.
Harvard has been under scrutiny amid rising campus tensions related to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Internal reviews recently acknowledged incidents of both anti-Semitic and anti-Muslim discrimination. University President Alan Garber vowed to ensure that Harvard remains a place where all students are respected and can express their beliefs freely.
Conservative politicians, including Trump, have long targeted elite institutions like Harvard, accusing them of harboring left-leaning bias and suppressing conservative views.
