Harvard University is no longer eligible for federal grants, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced Monday evening.
McMahon claimed in the letter sent to Harvard University President Alan Garber that the university has “engaged in a systemic pattern of violating federal law.”
“Harvard University has made a mockery of this country’s higher education system,” she wrote. “It has invited foreign students, who engage in violent behavior and show contempt for the United States of America, to its campus. 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.”
McMahon also drew attention to the university’s “plagiarism scandals.”
“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,” she added.
“You have an approximately $53 Billion head start,” McMahon declared, noting that much of the endowment was “made possible by the fact that you are living within the walls of, and benefiting from, the prosperity secured by the United States of America and its free-market system you teach your students to despise.”
“If Harvard prefers not to change, then Harvard should have no problem using its overflowing endowment to fund its bloated bureaucracy,” the letter said.
The Education Secretary urged the university to implement “common-sense reforms,” including merit-based admissions, an end to discrimination, disciplinary action for student groups, and cooperation with law enforcement agencies.
The letter comes as the Trump administration has already pulled billions of dollars in grants and contracts.
A university spokesperson said in a statement that McMahon’s effort is the latest attempt to “impose unprecedented and improper control over Harvard University.”
“Harvard will continue to comply with the law, promote and encourage respect for viewpoint diversity, and combat antisemitism in our community,” the spokesperson said. “Harvard will also continue to defend against illegal government overreach aimed at stifling research and innovation that make Americans safer and more secure.”
