The U.S. government on Tuesday announced an additional $450 million in funding cuts to Harvard University, intensifying a crackdown that follows last week’s $2.2 billion reduction in federal grants. The Department of Health and Human Services cited “a dark problem” of discrimination at the university as the reason for the latest termination of funds.
The move comes just one day after Harvard President Alan Garber stated the university shares “common ground” with the Trump administration on several key issues. Despite this, federal agencies have escalated their actions against the Ivy League institution, which is currently suing the administration over what it calls an unlawful attempt to interfere with university governance.
The White House, under the banner of addressing anti-Semitism and reversing diversity initiatives, has ramped up scrutiny of U.S. universities, including Harvard. The administration argues such programs contribute to ideological conformity and discrimination.
In a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Garber acknowledged the university had undergone major reforms in response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which had sparked internal conflict and widespread criticism. “We have taken meaningful steps to eliminate antisemitism and other forms of hate from our campus,” he wrote.
Nonetheless, at least one federal grant was terminated without the option for corrective measures. According to a legal filing, the National Institutes of Health claimed that no remediation was possible in a May letter citing anti-Semitism concerns.
Garber denied any partisan alignment and emphasized Harvard’s commitment to intellectual diversity, noting that admissions prioritize individual merit over race.
Still, Trump’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism condemned the university in a statement, calling it “a breeding ground for virtue signalling and discrimination.” It cited a university-led investigation that found Jewish students had experienced harassment, intimidation, and even physical violence.
“Harvard and its leadership, stained by the serious violations under their oversight, now face a steep challenge in restoring the institution’s reputation as a lawful and respected center of academic excellence,” the statement said.