Harvard University sues Trump Administration for freezing federal funds

Harvard University has filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump Administration, accusing it of violating its constitutional rights by freezing billions of dollars in federal funds, according to reports by the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

The legal action, announced by Harvard's president, Alan Garber, marks a significant clash between the prestigious institution and the U.S. government against a backdrop of growing tension over control of elite higher education.

In a message to the campus community, Garber said the funding freeze jeopardizes Harvard's academic independence and threatens critical research, including studies on childhood cancer, infectious disease outbreaks, and treatments to ease the suffering of soldiers wounded in combat. "The consequences of the government’s overreach will be severe and long-lasting,” Garber said.

The lawsuit contends that the government has cut off the funds as part of a "pressure campaign" to force Harvard to submit to state control over its academic programs. This conflict escalated in late March 2025, when the government notified Harvard that it was reviewing nearly $9 billion in federal funding and demanded that the university take specific steps to maintain its financial relationship with Washington.

In addition, on the official X account, the university noted, "Moments ago, we filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government’s authority." - President Alan Garber

The origin of this dispute lies in the actions of arecently created government task force that has paused or frozen billions of dollars in federal grants and contracts at elite universities such as Harvard and Columbia.

From the Republican administration, its goal is to sanction institutions that failed to adequately protect Jewish students during the pro-Palestinian protests that disrupted campuses in 2024.

However, critics, including Garber, argue that anti-Semitism is being used as a pretext for the Trump administration to exert greater control over universities.

Harvard thus becomes the first university to directly sue the Trump Administration over the actions of this task force. However, faculty groups at Harvard and Columbia have already filed separate lawsuits, accusing the administration of exploiting civil rights laws to undermine academic freedom and free speech.