The U.S. government announced on Monday, March 31, 2025, that it will review $9 billion in funding for Harvard University due to alleged anti-Semitism on campus.
Following a funding cut at Columbia University amid significant pro-Palestinian protests, President Donald Trump has turned his attention to elite schools that have faced demonstrations regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. He has reduced federal aid to these institutions and is promoting the deportation of foreign student activists, including those who hold green cards.
The General Services Administration detailed the scope: $255.6 million in contracts and $8.7 billion in multi-year grants to Harvard are under scrutiny. Education Secretary Linda McMahon blasted Harvard, saying, “Its failure to shield students from anti-Semitic discrimination while pushing divisive ideologies threatens its legacy.” She urged a return to “academic excellence and safety for all.” Critics slam Trump’s moves as a free-speech chokehold; backers call it a vital fix for campus chaos.
Columbia Sets Precedent
Trump’s campaign already hit Columbia, reviewing $400 million and detaining a grad student for deportation. Columbia offered concessions defining anti-Semitism, tightening protest rules, and adding oversight but dodged tougher demands.
Read: Columbia University Agrees to Trump Demands to Restore Federal Funding
The feds hailed it as progress, noting Monday’s Harvard action mirrors that probe. “Columbia agreed to nine preconditions to negotiate fund restoration,” the statement said. Harvard has yet to respond, leaving its next move unclear in this escalating clash.
