The directives also called for universities to report students deemed “hostile to American values” and to ensure “viewpoint diversity” through independent audits of departments linked to antisemitic cases
By Titilope Adako
The administration of President Donald Trump has halted over $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard University following the institution’s rejection of new government directives aimed at tackling antisemitism on campus.
According to the White House, the measures were intended to improve accountability in the university’s handling of antisemitic incidents and to promote a harassment-free academic environment.
In a statement issued on Monday, the U.S. Department of Education accused Harvard of maintaining an “entitlement mindset” and resisting necessary reforms.
“Harvard’s response reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that pervades many of our nation’s elite institutions,” the department said.
The administration had issued a list of demands to the university, which included changes to governance, hiring, and admissions policies.
The directives also called for universities to report students deemed “hostile to American values” and to ensure “viewpoint diversity” through independent audits of departments linked to antisemitic cases.
However, Harvard rejected the demands in a letter to its community, with President Alan Garber saying the proposals were unconstitutional and would undermine the school’s independence.
“We will not accept the proposed agreement. Harvard will not compromise its independence or abandon its constitutional rights,” Garber stated.
He further described the measures as an attempt at “direct government control over the intellectual life of the university.”
Trump has repeatedly accused elite universities of failing to protect Jewish students during campus protests over the war in Gaza and U.S. support for Israel.
His administration has tied federal funds to compliance with new standards targeting antisemitism and scrapping diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programmes.
A similar move saw $400 million withdrawn from Columbia University, which later accepted parts of the federal demands after initial resistance—leading to widespread backlash from students and staff.
In addition to the $2.2 billion freeze, the Trump administration said it is now reviewing long-term grant commitments to Harvard totalling an estimated $8.7 billion.
Meanwhile, Harvard professors have taken legal action against the government, arguing that the move threatens academic freedom and infringes on free speech protections.
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