Harvard University has urged a federal judge on Monday to order U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to reinstate $2.5 billion in cancelled federal research grant.
Harvard has said the cuts threaten key medical and scientific projects and were driven by politics, not genuine concerns over antisemitism
The hearing before U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston underscored the escalating clash between the administration and one of the U.S.'s most prestigious universities, which says the decision threatens hundreds of projects, including studies on cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and infectious diseases.
“Patients and the public at large are the ones who will suffer,” Harvard’s attorney Steven Lehotsky, Harvard Law School graduate, told the court, saying the government had offered “no real evidence” linking the funding cuts to its stated goal of combating antisemitism.
Michael Velchik, a senior Justice Department lawyer, said the administration had the authority to pull the grants, accusing Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students.
“Harvard prioritized campus protestors over cancer research,” Velchik said, adding that the dispute belonged in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, not before Burroughs.
Burroughs, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, questioned the government’s sweeping claims of authority.
“If you can make this decision – to withdraw all this funding for reasons oriented around speech – the consequences in terms of constitutional law are staggering to me,” she said.
The administration has ramped up pressure on Harvard since Donald Trump returned to office in January, accusing elite universities of harbouring antisemitic and “radical left” ideologies.
After Harvard rejected a 11 April letter demanding changes to its governance, hiring, and admissions practices, the government cut funding and moved to threaten its accreditation, according to court filings.
Harvard President Alan Garber said last week the measures could strip the university of nearly $1 billion annually, forcing layoffs and hiring freezes.
The administration has also pushed through an increase in the excise tax on Harvard’s $53 billion endowment, raising it to 8% from 1.4%.
Harvard has acknowledged Jewish and Israeli students faced “vicious and reprehensible” harassment following Israel’s war with Hamas in Gaza, but says it has taken steps to address the issue.
It argues the administration’s actions go far beyond combating antisemitism and violate First Amendment protections by attempting to control campus debate.
Burroughs is expected to issue a written ruling in the coming weeks.
The FIFA World Cup 2026 produced drama and surprises on 14-15 June, with Iran fighting back to draw 2-2 with New Zealand, Ivory Coast scoring a stoppa...
Firefighters and workers were clearing debris on Monday after what Ukraine described as a deliberate Russian strike severely damaged a nearly 1,000-ye...
One month after Ebola cases were confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, health officials and aid organisations say the true extent of ...
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to b...
The Trans-Caspian East-West International Transport Corridor, commonly known as the Middle Corridor, is a multimodal trade route linking China and the...
The FIFA World Cup 2026 produced drama and surprises on 14-15 June, with Iran fighting back to draw 2-2 with New Zealand, Ivory Coast scoring a stoppage-time winner over Ecuador, Sweden thrashing Tunisia 5-1, and debutants Cape Verde holding Spain to a goalless draw.
Firefighters and workers were clearing debris on Monday after what Ukraine described as a deliberate Russian strike severely damaged a nearly 1,000-year-old cathedral in Kyiv, one of the country's most important religious and cultural landmarks.
One month after Ebola cases were confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, health officials and aid organisations say the true extent of the outbreak remains unclear because of major gaps in testing, reporting and disease surveillance.
The Trans-Caspian East-West International Transport Corridor, commonly known as the Middle Corridor, is a multimodal trade route linking China and the European Union via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus and Türkiye.
Details of a reported draft memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran offer the clearest picture yet of how both sides plan to end months of conflict and move towards a longer-term settlement.
The U.S. and Iran say they have reached a deal to end their conflict, with an immediate ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz after the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. Talks will continue over the next 60 days to finalise the agreement
A senior U.S. official said on Monday that the memorandum of understanding linked to the U.S.-Iran agreement had been signed by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel does not consider itself bound by a Lebanon-related provision in an emerging agreement with Iran, according to Israeli officials.
Switzerland on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal to cap its population at 10 million, a projection showed, as voters prioritised economic stability and the country's ties with the European Union over immigration concerns.
Firefighters and workers were clearing debris on Monday after what Ukraine described as a deliberate Russian strike severely damaged a nearly 1,000-year-old cathedral in Kyiv, one of the country's most important religious and cultural landmarks.
One month after Ebola cases were confirmed in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, health officials and aid organisations say the true extent of the outbreak remains unclear because of major gaps in testing, reporting and disease surveillance.
The first day of the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Évian-les-Bains, France, was dominated by discussions on the Middle East, Ukraine and the global economy, as leaders grappled with multiple crises that have reshaped the international landscape.
Pakistan's political leadership on Monday welcomed a breakthrough agreement between the U.S. and Iran aimed at ending more than three months of conflict, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif describing it as a major diplomatic success and a victory for peace.
Hungary's parliament on Monday approved a constitutional amendment limiting prime ministers to a maximum of eight years in office, a move that effectively prevents former premier Viktor Orbán from returning to the country's top political post.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment