Harvard Wins Court Battle Over Funding Cut
A US federal court has ruled a judge overturned a Harvard funding cut. President Donald Trump’s administration froze around $2 billion (£1.5 billion) in research grants. Judge Allison Burroughs determined the government violated Harvard’s free speech rights. This represents a significant legal victory for the university. However, the White House has promised an appeal. The Trump administration had accused Harvard of antisemitism and racial bias. They also alleged “radical left” ideologies. Other Ivy League schools, including Columbia, Penn, and Brown, reached separate deals with the Trump administration to avoid court action.
This court victory is a major story. It highlights tensions between academic freedom and government oversight. In her ruling, Judge Burroughs wrote, “The Court vacates and sets aside the Freeze Orders and Termination Letters as violative of the First Amendment.” She then blocked the administration from stopping any more federal funding. The government also cannot withhold payment on existing grants. The White House immediately condemned the “egregious decision.” An assistant press secretary called Judge Burroughs an “activist” judge. She was appointed by former President Barack Obama. The assistant press secretary said, “Harvard does not have a constitutional right to taxpayer dollars.”
Furthermore, the university president, Alan Garber, issued a statement. He said the ruling “affirms Harvard’s First Amendment and procedural rights.” The university continues to assess the decision’s implications. They will also monitor future legal developments. Judge Burroughs did criticize Harvard in her 84-page ruling. She said Harvard should have done more to combat antisemitism. She noted that it had “plagued” the institution. Judge Burroughs wrote, “Harvard was wrong to tolerate hateful behavior.” The judge also believed the government’s “true aim” was not to fight antisemitism. Instead, she suggested the government used antisemitism as a “smokescreen.” It was a “targeted, ideologically-motivated assault.” She meant it was a political attack on the university.
Previously, this judge blocked a Trump administration effort. It would have prevented Harvard from hosting international students. Harvard sued the administration over the funding freeze. They did this in April. At the same time, they also pledged to combat antisemitism. President Garber said no government should “dictate what private universities can teach.” The administration had also threatened Harvard’s tax-exempt status. It also considered taking control of its patents. These patents came from federally funded research. This Harvard funding cut overturned by the court may lead to new discussions. The government had been discussing a deal with Harvard. Trump wanted the university to pay no less than $500 million.
Source: BBC, Citi Newsroom
