The Trump administration withheld a $2.2 billion grant and halted a $60 million contract to Harvard University, citing campus activism as the reason.
Harvard University: The U.S. government under Donald Trump dealt a significant blow to Harvard University. The Trump administration froze $2.2 billion (approximately ₹18,000 crore) in grant funding to the university. Additionally, $60 million in contracts were canceled. The White House cited campus activism—student-led protests at American universities—as the rationale for this action.
White House Issues Notice
The White House issued a notice on Friday evening advising Harvard University to implement corrective measures. These included proposals for a merit-based admissions system, auditing of students and faculty, and a ban on face masks. The Trump administration stated that funding should be reduced for student groups that promote criminal activity, illegal violence, and harassment.
Harvard University Responds
Harvard University President Alan Garber bly criticized the Trump administration's move. Garber stated that no government has the authority to interfere with the academic programs and admissions policies of private universities. He emphasized the universities' autonomy in deciding who to teach, admit, and what fields of study to offer, asserting that government interference is unacceptable.
Grants Withheld from Other Universities
In addition to Harvard University, the Trump administration withheld grants from several other universities. These include prestigious institutions such as Pennsylvania, Brown, and Princeton, all of which were implicated in campus activism.
