2025-05-05T22:20:00Z

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CNN — In a notable and contentious development, the Trump administration has announced new measures aimed at limiting federal funding for Harvard University, a prestigious institution at the forefront of national academic discussions. On Monday, it was revealed that the administration is terminating all new federal research grants to the university, a bold move that underscores the mounting tensions between the government and one of the nation’s most elite academic institutions.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon communicated this decision via a letter addressed to Harvard President Alan Garber, which highlighted that the university has been deemed ineligible for federal grants due to what the administration describes as “consistent violations of its own legal duties.” This declaration aligns with ongoing disputes involving Harvard and the administration concerning a range of important issues, including affirmative action policies, campus protests, and the management of standardized testing protocols such as the SAT and ACT.

McMahon’s letter did not hold back, stating, “In every way, Harvard has failed to abide by its legal obligations, its ethical and fiduciary duties, its transparency responsibilities, and any semblance of academic rigor.” This strong language reflects the administration's frustration over what it perceives as Harvard's deviation from legal and ethical standards expected of institutions receiving public funding.

In the wake of this announcement, a CNN inquiry led to the university’s response at the time, which expressed dismay over the administration's decision. The letter further remarked, “Harvard will cease to be a publicly funded institution and can instead operate as a privately funded institution, drawing on its colossal endowment, and raising money from its large base of wealthy alumni.” With an endowment exceeding $53 billion, the university has the financial resources to sustain its operations without reliance on federal funding.

This strategic move by the Trump administration is anticipated to have a significant impact, specifically targeting research grant funding while leaving essential federal programs such as Pell Grants and student loan funding unaffected for the time being. It is estimated that this decision will affect over $1 billion annually in research funding. Moreover, prior to this move, the administration had already frozen approximately $2.2 billion in multi-year federal funding to the university.

The administration has indicated a willingness to negotiate with Harvard regarding the restoration of funding, contingent upon the university’s compliance with federal laws. A senior administration official stated that negotiations could be initiated if Harvard demonstrates a commitment to meet the government's requirements. “Those investigations would need to lead to resolution agreements that bring Harvard back into compliance with federal law,” the official elaborated, hinting at potential pathways to restore funding.

In addition to cutting research grants, the Trump administration has suggested revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status and threatened to limit its ability to host international students unless the university complies with a comprehensive list of demands. These demands include the abolition of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, banning masks during campus protests, implementing merit-based hiring and admissions processes, and providing access to records pertaining to the discipline of foreign students.

As the oldest and wealthiest university in the United States, Harvard has maintained a firm stance against what it considers governmental overreach. In response to the pressures from the administration, President Garber has articulated that “Harvard will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.” He emphasized the importance of maintaining autonomy for Harvard and other private institutions in the face of federal governmental influence.

This story is still developing, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.