A federal judge in Boston on Wednesday ruled in favor of Harvard University , ordering the reversal of the Trump administration’s cuts to more than $2.6 billion in federal research grant funding .
US district judge Allison Burroughs determined that the administration’s actions were illegal retaliation against the Ivy League school for rejecting White House demands to change its governance and policies, reported AP.
The decision marks a major victory for Harvard, which has also faced threats from the administration to block foreign students from attending and to revoke its tax-exempt status.
The ruling restores funding for hundreds of research projects that had been frozen or cut, potentially reviving the university’s extensive research operations.
Harvard’s lawsuit alleged that the administration targeted the university following an April 11 letter from a federal antisemitism task force . The letter demanded broad changes to campus policies on protests, academics, and admissions, citing concerns that the university tolerated anti-Jewish harassment.
Harvard President Alan Garber emphasised the university’s commitment to fighting antisemitism while underscoring the limits of government authority over private institutions. “No government should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” he said, as quoted by AP.
Negotiations between Harvard and the Trump administration have reportedly taken place to reach a potential agreement that would end investigations and restore funding, though no deal has been finalised.
Trump had reportedly demanded at least $500 million from Harvard, even as similar arrangements were reached with Columbia and Brown universities.
Judge Burroughs’ ruling prevents the administration from enforcing the grant cuts, providing a significant legal and financial reprieve for the university while reaffirming protections for private institutions against federal overreach.
US district judge Allison Burroughs determined that the administration’s actions were illegal retaliation against the Ivy League school for rejecting White House demands to change its governance and policies, reported AP.
The decision marks a major victory for Harvard, which has also faced threats from the administration to block foreign students from attending and to revoke its tax-exempt status.
The ruling restores funding for hundreds of research projects that had been frozen or cut, potentially reviving the university’s extensive research operations.
Harvard’s lawsuit alleged that the administration targeted the university following an April 11 letter from a federal antisemitism task force . The letter demanded broad changes to campus policies on protests, academics, and admissions, citing concerns that the university tolerated anti-Jewish harassment.
Harvard President Alan Garber emphasised the university’s commitment to fighting antisemitism while underscoring the limits of government authority over private institutions. “No government should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” he said, as quoted by AP.
Negotiations between Harvard and the Trump administration have reportedly taken place to reach a potential agreement that would end investigations and restore funding, though no deal has been finalised.
Trump had reportedly demanded at least $500 million from Harvard, even as similar arrangements were reached with Columbia and Brown universities.
Judge Burroughs’ ruling prevents the administration from enforcing the grant cuts, providing a significant legal and financial reprieve for the university while reaffirming protections for private institutions against federal overreach.
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