Photo by Stephanie Mitchell, Harvard University
Harvard University's legal team will face the Donald Trump administration in court to challenge the suspension of funding it has suffered throughout this year. District Judge Allison Burroughs will hear arguments from Harvard's legal team and representatives from the Department of Justice to decide whether this suspension of funding was legal.
If the judge grants Harvard the ruling, the government will have to restore the $1.4 billion in funding it has taken from the university. This funding represents approximately 950 research programs, including laboratories that combat cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and various emerging biological risks.
This decision will mark a turning point in the long-running conflict between Harvard University, the oldest and most prestigious institution in the United States, and the Trump administration, which has unsuccessfully sought to exert control over it for months.
Harvard University vs. Donald Trump: The Case
The Donald Trump administration argues that Harvard University has failed to do what is necessary to combat antisemitism on its campus. It points to the Hamas terrorist organization's attack on the Israeli people in 2023 and maintains that Harvard has allowed antisemitism and support for Hamas to continue.
The administration has expressed displeasure with Harvard's programs that practice what is known as "DEI": Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The administration insists that these "failures" give it the right to cut off Harvard's funding.
The university, on the other hand, maintains that it has done what is necessary to combat antisemitism on its campus. Harvard has described the funding suspensions as a "pressure campaign to force Harvard to submit to government control..."
Harvard maintains that the government has violated the university's First Amendment rights and Title VI rights under the Civil Rights Act. They maintain that the programs affected by the funding suspension, which they describe as "unreasonable and unreasonable," have nothing to do with antisemitism.
Today's Decision
In preparation for today's legal meeting, Harrison Fields of the White House shared the following message with CNN:
“The Trump administration’s proposal is simple and makes sense: Don’t allow antisemitism and DEI initiatives to dominate your campus, don’t break the law, and protect the civil liberties of all students.”
Burroughs, who presides over today's court, previously granted him the reason to Harvard University. This was when the Trump administration illegally attempted to revoke its SEVIS certification, which would have ended its ability to admit international students.
We'll see if Burroughs concedes another victory to Harvard University, or if the Trump administration will succeed in its mission to undermine and slow the scientific development taking place on its Boston campus.
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