Washington (TDI): The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has announced the termination of approximately $60 million in federal grants previously awarded to Harvard University, intensifying the Trump administration’s escalating standoff with the Ivy League institution over allegations of anti-Semitism, racial discrimination, and concerns surrounding academic freedom.
HHS declared: “Due to Harvard University’s continued failure to address anti-Semitic harassment and race discrimination, HHS is terminating multiple multi-year grant awards — totaling approximately $60 million over their full duration.”
The department stressed that federal funding must be contingent on institutions upholding the rights and protections of all students, asserting that discrimination “will not be tolerated.”
This latest move adds to a broader wave of punitive financial actions taken against Harvard, which has already seen over $2.2 billion in federal grants frozen since April.
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Education Secretary Linda McMahon recently informed the university that it would no longer qualify for public research funding, citing Harvard’s “mockery” of higher education values and alleging non-compliance with federal expectations for inclusion and fairness.
In response, Harvard University has initiated legal action against the Trump administration, arguing that the funding suspensions violate the First Amendment and federal statutes prohibiting executive interference in university governance and IRS processes.
The university maintains that the administration’s demands—ranging from restructuring disciplinary policies to eliminating diversity initiatives and accepting external audits—represent overreach and threaten institutional autonomy.
Harvard President Alan Garber announced last week that the university will allocate $250 million from its endowment to sustain ongoing research projects affected by the federal cuts.
“While deeply concerned by the precedent these actions set, Harvard remains committed to academic excellence, freedom of expression, and the protection of all community members,” he said.
The conflict began earlier this year following pro-Palestinian demonstrations on campus, which the Trump administration labeled as anti-Semitic and “illegal.” Student leaders have defended the protests as peaceful responses to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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Critics of the administration’s actions have warned that the measures amount to political retaliation and a chilling attempt to suppress dissenting viewpoints in higher education.
The situation continues to evolve as legal proceedings move forward, with wide-ranging implications for university governance, civil liberties, and the federal role in academia.
Areeba Kanwal is a contributor at The Diplomatic Insight and has passion for International Relations and diplomacy.
