The U.S. government has slashed another $450 million in federal funding to Harvard University, escalating tensions over alleged antisemitism and discriminatory diversity practices. This brings total cuts to over $2.6 billion in two weeks.
The Department of Health and Human Services cited “a dark problem of discrimination” at Harvard, following a federal review that found systemic antisemitism. The NIH declared no corrective action could restore funding.
The move comes a day after Harvard President Alan Garber sought common ground with the administration, outlining reforms to address antisemitism and campus safety. But the Trump-aligned Task Force to Combat Antisemitism accused Harvard of failing to protect Jewish students and masking inaction with symbolic reforms.
Harvard has filed legal challenges, calling the cuts politically motivated and unlawful. The funding loss threatens major research programs, while the case raises broader questions about free speech, academic independence, and the politicization of higher education.
