Harvard University sues Trump administration over funding freeze

Harvard University sues US President Donald Trump’s administration in an effort to halt the government’s pause of more than $2 billion in funding for the US educational institution.

“Over the course of the past week, the federal government has taken several actions following Harvard’s refusal to comply with its illegal demands,” Harvard President Alan Garber says in a statement.

“Moments ago, we filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government’s authority,” Garber says.

Among the US government agencies mentioned in Harvard’s lawsuit are the Education Department, the Health Department, the Justice Department, the Energy Department and the General Services Administration.

The Trump administration has no immediate comment.

Trump and his White House team have publicly justified their campaign against universities as a reaction to what they say is uncontrolled antisemitism and a need to reverse diversity programs aimed at addressing historical oppression of minorities.

The administration claims protests against the war in Gaza that swept across US college campuses last year were rife with antisemitism and pro-Hamas ideology.

Other institutions, including Columbia University, have bowed to less far-ranging demands from the Trump administration, which claims that the educational elite is too left-wing.