New Delhi, Sept 4: A US federal court has struck down funding cuts imposed by US President Donald Trump’s administration on Harvard University, restoring around $2 billion in federal research support.
The court found that the government violated Harvard’s free speech rights when it froze the funding earlier this year., reports BBC. The decision marks a significant legal win for the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based institution, though an appeal is expected.
The Trump administration had accused Harvard of antisemitism, promoting left-wing ideologies, and racial bias when it halted payments in April. While three other Ivy League universities, including Columbia, negotiated settlements to avoid similar losses, Harvard challenged the freeze in court.
In her ruling, Judge Allison Burroughs concluded that the administration’s actions were unconstitutional and ordered federal agencies to reinstate funding. She barred the government from withholding current or future grant payments, according to international media reports.
The judgment acknowledged longstanding issues of antisemitism at Harvard but determined that the administration’s primary motivation was political. The court described the freeze as an ideologically driven attempt to pressure leading universities.
The case adds to earlier clashes between the Trump administration and Harvard, including disputes over the status of international students.
Trump has previously threatened to remove the university’s tax-exempt status and claim control over patents developed with federal funding.
