The Trump administration faced off with Harvard University in federal court on Monday, as a Boston judge weighs the Ivy League school’s lawsuit challenging the White House’s move to strip it of more than $2 billion in federal funding.
Harvard filed suit in April after the Trump administration targeted the university over what it described as rampant antisemitism and its continued use of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs. The administration’s actions came after President Donald Trump labeled Harvard “Anti-Semitic,” “Far-Left,” and “a threat to Democracy,” citing a campus climate that he said fosters “fake ANGER AND HATE.”
The case landed before Judge Allison D. Burroughs, who had previously ruled in Harvard’s favor in a 2020 case involving the Trump administration’s attempt to block certain foreign students from attending U.S. universities.
The Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, is arguing that Harvard has violated federal civil rights statutes by allowing antisemitic harassment to flourish and implementing discriminatory hiring and admissions practices. The administration’s antisemitism task force earlier this year demanded sweeping changes to Harvard’s internal policies, including oversight of faculty hiring, student discipline, and admissions. Harvard refused.
In court filings, Harvard claims the funding freeze violates its First Amendment rights and threatens vital research projects. University President Alan Garber defended the school, saying, “No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”
Despite the courtroom standoff, President Trump has kept negotiations with Harvard alive. In a Truth Social post last month, he teased a potential “mindbogglingly HISTORIC” deal, saying the university was “acting extremely appropriately” and that “a good deal is more than possible.”
The Trump administration insists that a resolution is within reach—if Harvard agrees to drop its DEI programs and crack down on campus antisemitism.
“The Trump Administration’s proposition is simple and commonsense: Don’t allow antisemitism and DEI to run your campus, don’t break the law, and protect the civil liberties of all students,” said White House spokesman Harrison Fields.
Adding more pressure, the Department of Homeland Security recently issued administrative subpoenas to Harvard, alleging the school refused to provide information required for its Student Visitor and Exchange Program certification. DHS accused Harvard of repeatedly ignoring requests related to foreign students on campus.
The outcome of the case could reshape how federal funds are tied to university policies, especially on issues related to civil rights enforcement and foreign student programs. A ruling is expected in the coming weeks.