Harvard University has taken legal action against the Trump administration for what it deems as “unlawful” budget reductions amounting to billions of dollars that were designated for research initiatives at the institution.
Alan Garber, President of Harvard, explained in a statement that they have filed a lawsuit to prevent the freeze in funding, citing its illegality and the administration’s overstepping of its powers.
This course of action was prompted by reports that the Trump administration intended to slash an additional $1 billion in federal grants and contracts awarded to the university, on top of the $2.2 billion reduction announced just the week before, as initially disclosed by the Harvard Crimson.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the $1 billion is related to the elite Massachusetts Ivy League school’s health research funding, according to sources familiar with the matter.
“The tradeoff put to Harvard and other universities is clear: Allow the Government to micromanage your academic institution or jeopardize the institution’s ability to pursue medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions,” Harvard’s lawyers wrote in the Monday filing.
Harvard is suing the Trump administration
In the 51-page complaint, obtained by the outlet, Harvard accused the Trump administration of unlawfully freezing billions in research funding to pressure the University into restructuring its governance, academic programs, and hiring practices.
The complaint argues that the freeze violates the First Amendment by “imposing viewpoint-based conditions on Harvard’s funding.”
In a recent social media post, Trump claimed that Harvard had “lost its way” and didn’t deserve federal funding.
“Harvard has been hiring almost all woke, Radical Left, idiots and ‘birdbrains’ who are only capable of teaching FAILURE to students and so-called ‘future leaders,'” Trump wrote. “Look just to the recent past at their plagiarizing President, who so greatly embarrassed Harvard before the United States Congress.
“Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds.”
Fox News Digital’s Andrea Margolis contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]
