The U.S. Department of Education has announced the freezing of $2.2 billion in federal funding for Harvard University after the institution rejected demands from the Trump administration.

Source: U.S. Department of Education press release

Quote: "The Anti-Semitism Task Force announces the freezing of $2.2 billion in long-term grants and $60 million in long-term contracts for Harvard University."

Details: Last week, the White House sent Harvard a list of demands aimed at enforcing strict government oversight and radical changes in university governance. However, on Monday, April 14, Harvard rejected these demands, claiming that the Trump administration was violating the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, exceeding government authority under the Civil Rights Act, and threatening the autonomy of the private institution.

In turn, the U.S. Department of Education reported the funding freeze, stating that ongoing violations of the educational process are unacceptable.

Quote: "The violations in the educational process affecting campuses in recent years are intolerable. Harassment of Jewish students is unacceptable. Elite universities must take this issue seriously and commit to substantial changes if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support."

Read also: Women, disability, and climate crisis: Trump administration restricted the use of nearly two hundred words.

Background:

• On March 10, Harvard University temporarily halted hiring of faculty and staff due to "financial uncertainty" caused by increased scrutiny from the Trump administration.
• The university noted that the temporary freeze is intended to "preserve financial flexibility" until the nature of changes in federal policy and their impact on the institution become clear.
• On March 31, media reported that the Trump administration initiated measures to combat antisemitism at Harvard University, which could result in freezing federal funding for the institution up to $9 billion.
• At the end of March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling his long-standing promise to dismantle this government agency that, according to him, promotes "leftist" ideology.