Harvard University on Tuesday condemned the Trump administration’s decision to freeze billions of dollars in federal research funding, calling it an act of “illegal government overreach” and retaliation for the university’s recent lawsuit against the federal government.
Harvard said in a statement posted on its website that the move poses a risk of subverting important academic research and creates a risky law for higher education all over the country.
The school threatened to stop funding lifesaving research and innovation in retaliation for Harvard’s registration of its lawsuit on April 2 in today’s letter, according to the university. ” Harvard will continue to uphold the law, uphold and encourage regard for viewpoint diversity, and stop racism in our society,” said the statement.
The suspension of federal funding, according to Harvard, the richest universities in the country, had have” chilling implications” for technological advancement and development that contribute to public health and national protection.
In a letter addressed to Harvard leader Alan Garber, US education minister Linda McMahon wrote that the school” if not no longer get offers from the federal government, since none will be provided.” McMahon criticized Harvard for failing to fulfill its legal, ethical, and fiduciary responsibilities, as well as for its handling of campus antisemitism.
” Harvard will also fight against illegal government overreach aimed at stifling research and innovation that will make Americans safer and more secure,” the statement continued.
Harvard has become a focal point in larger political conflict over antisemitism, diversity initiatives, and campus speech.
The Trump administration has threatened to reduce funding, revoke its tax-exempt status, and curtail enrollment of foreign students at universities because it believes there is ideological bias.
