Harvard University was handed a landmark win when a federal judge declared United States President Donald Trump’s US$2.2 billion termination of funding grants unlawful.
In the 84-page order, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs said the Trump administration “used antisemitism as a smokescreen” to block billions in research funding unlawfully.
"We must fight against antisemitism, but we equally need to protect our rights, including our right to free speech, and neither goal should nor needs to be sacrificed on the altar of the other," Judge Burroughs wrote in her order.
"Now it is the job of the courts to similarly step up, to act to safeguard academic freedom and freedom of speech as required by the Constitution, and to ensure that important research is not improperly subjected to arbitrary and procedurally infirm grant terminations, even if doing so risks the wrath of a government committed to its agenda no matter the cost.”
This comes after the Trump administration froze US$2.7 billion in Harvard grants and US$60 million in contracts in April following the school’s refusal to budge on he government’s demands after the administration's Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism alleged the school failed to confront antisemitism on campus.
“Their actions have jeopardised decades of research and the welfare of all those who could stand to benefit from that research, as well as reflect a disregard for the rights protected by the Constitution and federal statutes,” Burroughs wrote.
While this is a major win for he university, the Trump administration is almost certain to fight back and escalate its fight against the school, with White House already saying it plans to appeal.
The Trump administration also blocked international students from enrolling at Harvard.
International students make up around a quarter of the university’s population, marking a major financial blow to the academic institution.
