In a major move that’s sending shockwaves through academia, the Trump administration has cut off all federal grants to Harvard University, citing repeated violations of federal law and a defiant stance against the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on race-based admissions.
The announcement came Monday in a sharply worded three-page letter from Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to Harvard President Alan M. Garber. In it, she accused the Ivy League school of showing a “systemic pattern of violating federal law,” ignoring judicial orders, and failing to take action as Jewish students were harassed on campus during radical anti-Israel protests.
“Harvard has engaged in a systemic pattern of violating federal law,” McMahon wrote, calling out the university for failing to comply with the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision that struck down affirmative action in college admissions.
“Dear Harvard,” the letter began, signaling the administration’s serious tone. It was posted publicly by McMahon herself on the Department of Education’s website shortly after it was delivered to Harvard.
This decision is no small hit. Harvard has already lost $2.2 billion in grants and contracts in recent weeks, and another $1 billion was reportedly on the chopping block. Now, the school has been officially cut off entirely from all new federal grants.
To be clear, Harvard isn’t short on cash. The university holds one of the largest endowments in the world at an estimated $53 billion. But historically, it has received around $9 billion in federal funding—taxpayer dollars—through various grants and contracts.
The Trump administration made clear: That taxpayer support has now come to a screeching halt.
This funding freeze comes at the same time that Harvard is under federal investigation for antisemitism, part of a broader effort led by President Trump’s task force targeting antisemitic threats and intimidation on college campuses.
Harvard is one of ten universities currently under investigation after pro-Palestinian protests on its campus reportedly intimidated, threatened, and even physically targeted Jewish students. The university’s weak response to the disturbing incidents has sparked national backlash.
The federal government, under Trump, isn’t standing by.
The administration says Harvard has not only failed to comply with civil rights protections and Supreme Court rulings—but has also turned a blind eye to hate and intimidation under the guise of free speech.
Secretary McMahon pointed to Harvard’s refusal to “meaningfully address” ongoing issues on campus—especially when it comes to compliance with the June 2023 Supreme Court ruling that ended the use of race as a factor in admissions decisions.
“This is not simply a matter of policy disagreement,” said one Trump administration official speaking off the record. “This is about a taxpayer-funded institution choosing to disobey the highest court in the land and failing to protect students from targeted hate. That’s not going to fly under President Trump.”
While elite universities have long leaned left and embraced radical ideological movements, many Americans—especially taxpayers footing the bill—have grown tired of watching these schools operate with no accountability.
This latest decision marks a new chapter.
It sends a clear message: Institutions that violate the law, ignore court rulings, and fail to protect their students will not be rewarded with federal money.
In the eyes of many conservatives, it’s a long-overdue wake-up call for higher education.
