Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Funding Cuts and Constitutional Rights

WASHINGTON, April 21 — Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on Monday, challenging the recent multibillion-dollar cuts to its research funding. The lawsuit alleges that the administration is engaging in an arbitrary and unconstitutional campaign designed to punish the institution for adhering to its constitutional principles.

The legal action was prompted by reports that the White House is planning to impose additional cuts to Harvard’s federal grants and contracts. This move underscores a potentially historic legal battle, as Harvard aims to counteract what it describes as a destructive, multi-agency effort to undermine its funding in exchange for significant concessions.

Among the demands made by the Trump administration are federal audits of the university’s programs, agreements to screen international students for their beliefs, and the installation of administrators to enforce compliance with the administration’s requirements. Harvard’s lawyers state, “The tradeoff put to Harvard and other universities is clear: Allow the government to micromanage your academic institution or jeopardize the institution’s ability to pursue medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and innovative solutions.”

The 51-page complaint, filed in a U.S. district court, seeks to halt the $2.2 billion funding freeze and any other freezes linked to the alleged unconstitutional conditions outlined in recent letters from the Trump administration. University President Alan M. Garber announced in a message to affiliates that Harvard aims to uphold its legal obligations and maintain its essential role in society without government overreach.

Harvard’s lawsuit alleges that the halt to its funding is a violation of the First Amendment, asserting that it imposes viewpoint-based conditions on financial support. Furthermore, the complaint accuses the federal agencies of bypassing legally mandated procedures under the Civil Rights Act, claiming that the Department of Health and Human Services has acted without fair legal justification.

“Under whichever name, the government has ceased the flow of funds to Harvard as part of its pressure campaign to force the university to submit to its control over academic programs. That, in itself, violates Harvard’s constitutional rights,” the lawyers stated in the filing.

In his message, President Garber emphasized that the more aggressive demands issued on April 11 align with a broader campaign against Harvard, using alleged concerns of campus antisemitism as a pretext. “Before taking punitive action, the law requires that the federal government engage with us about the ways we are fighting and will continue to fight antisemitism,” he wrote.

Garber also hinted at the release of reports from two presidential task forces aimed at combating antisemitism and Islamophobia, although these reports were slated for publication during the fall semester of 2024 and have yet to be disclosed. He noted that the Department of Health and Human Services formally inquired about the delay in releasing these reports last Saturday.

Notably, the lawsuit identifies various federal agencies as defendants, including the Department of Education, Department of Justice, General Services Administration, and others that have contributed to the funding cuts. The Education Department, GSA, and HHS have been notably aggressive in their dealings with Harvard, with the heads of these departments signing the April letters demanding changes.

This lawsuit follows previous legal encounters between Harvard and the Trump administration, including a case from 2021 concerning policies that restricted international students’ visas based on enrollment in virtual classes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As the situation develops, observers are keenly watching the implications this legal action may have for higher education and interactions between governmental authorities and academic institutions.