The Trump administration has initiated a comprehensive review of Harvard University’s federal funding in response to allegations of antisemitism on campus. This action places approximately $9 billion in federal contracts and grants under scrutiny, including $255 million in direct contracts and $8.7 billion in multi-year grants to Harvard and its affiliates.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticized Harvard for “promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry” and failing to adequately protect students from antisemitism. She emphasized the need for the university to address these issues to restore its commitment to academic excellence and ensure the safety of all students.
In response, Harvard President Alan Garber acknowledged the presence of antisemitism on campus and outlined efforts undertaken over the past fifteen months to combat it. Garber stated, “We still have much work to do. We will engage with members of the federal government’s task force to combat antisemitism to ensure that they have a full account of the work we have done and the actions we will take going forward to combat antisemitism.”
This review follows similar actions taken against Columbia University, where $400 million in federal funding was revoked due to concerns over antisemitic incidents. Columbia later agreed to implement changes demanded by the administration, drawing mixed reactions from various groups.
The Department of Education, along with the Health and Human Services Department and the General Services Administration, is leading the review of Harvard’s contracts and grants. These agencies will determine whether to halt certain contracts and have requested a comprehensive list of all federal contracts associated with Harvard and its affiliates.
This development underscores the administration’s commitment to addressing antisemitism in higher education institutions and ensuring compliance with civil rights laws. Harvard’s engagement with the federal task force will be crucial in determining the outcome of this review and the future of its federal funding.
