Harvard University is now facing the potential loss of all federal financial resources following the Trump administration’s conclusion that its civil rights laws were violated through discrimination against Jewish students. A letter to the Ivy League school indicated that Harvard was at times a “willful participant in anti-Semitic harassment of Jewish students, faculty, and staff,” and that campus leaders allowed the anti-Semitism to grow.
This dire warning comes on the heels of Harvard already forfeiting over $2.6 billion in federal funding. That prior loss was a direct consequence of the university’s rejection of a list of demands from President Trump concerning a massive overhaul in campus hiring, admissions, and governance. The current threat signifies a heightened level of pressure from the administration.
President Trump’s broader critique of Harvard has also extended to its international student enrollment. He had previously suggested a cap of approximately 15% on foreign students, arguing that the university’s reported 31% international student body disadvantaged American applicants. This concern has been a recurring theme in the administration’s interactions with elite universities.
The dispute had previously culminated in a highly controversial move: the administration revoked Harvard’s certification to enroll international students, prompting a lawsuit from Harvard alleging unconstitutional retaliation. Despite these deeply contentious moments, President Trump recently announced that negotiations with Harvard officials were proceeding positively, expressing optimism for a “mindbogglingly’ HISTORIC” settlement.
