The Trump administration announced on Tuesday that it will terminate an additional $450 million in federal grants to Harvard University, following last week’s cancellation of $2.2 billion in funding. This marks a significant escalation in the administration’s conflict with the Ivy League institution.
In a letter sent to Harvard last week, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon criticised the university, stating it had made a “mockery” of higher education and would no longer be eligible for federal funding. “Harvard will cease to be a publicly funded institution and can instead rely on its substantial endowment and wealthy alumni for financial support,” McMahon wrote.
The move follows a previous decision by the administration to freeze nearly $2.3 billion in funding, citing Harvard’s alleged failure to address widespread anti-Semitism on campus. The freeze was imposed after Harvard rejected several government demands, which it argued would compromise academic freedom, including external audits to enforce “viewpoint diversity” among faculty and students.
In her letter, McMahon stated several criticisms frequently raised by conservatives regarding Harvard University. Among them were claims that the institution has lowered academic standards and admitted international students who, she alleged, “engage in violent behavior and demonstrate contempt for the United States.” McMahon further questioned the university’s admissions practices, writing: “Where do many of these ‘students’ come from, who are they, and how do they get into Harvard—or even into our country—and why is there so much HATE?” Her use of capital letters echoed former President Trump’s rhetorical style, often employed to underscore key points.
To McMahon’s letter, a university spokesperson responded saying, “Today’s letter makes new threats to illegally withhold funding for lifesaving research and innovation in retaliation against Harvard for filing its lawsuit on April 21. Harvard will continue to comply with the law, promote and encourage respect for viewpoint diversity, and combat antisemitism in our community. Harvard will also continue to defend against illegal government overreach aimed at stifling research and innovation that make Americans safer and more secure.”