Trump Administration Freezes $4 Billion Harvard Funding, Restricts International Students

The Trump administration has escalated its campaign against Harvard University and other institutions by employing various tactics including attempts to ban international students, freeze federal research funds, and threaten tax-exempt status, all viewed as efforts to undermine universities' commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). A significant element of this campaign involves the use of the False Claims Act (FCA) to hold NIH grant recipients liable for alleged violations of civil rights statutes, effectively weaponizing the FCA to enforce ideological compliance in academia. Harvard has legally challenged the administration's restrictions on international students, arguing that the government’s national security claims do not justify singling out Harvard while allowing students to enroll elsewhere. This multifaceted policy approach draws parallels to authoritarian tactics seen in other countries, aiming to dismantle core pillars of higher education and research. University leaders and legal experts have condemned the administration’s overreach, noting that these moves threaten academic freedom and the integrity of scientific research funding. The ongoing legal battles and administrative pressures mark a profound conflict between the current administration and major American universities over governance, academic content, and civil rights enforcement.