The Trump administration has formally accused Harvard University of violating federal civil rights laws by failing to protect Jewish and Israeli students from antisemitic harassment and threats on campus. Monday’s conclusion follows a two-year investigation by the Department of Education, which found that Harvard acted with “deliberate indifference” in addressing incidents of antisemitism, thereby placing its federal funding at risk.
The Wall Street Journal reports the White House is warning of the “loss of all federal financial resources” if demands aren’t met:
The investigation is the latest in the battle between the White House and Harvard. The Trump administration has sought to make the wealthiest U.S. university exhibit A in its fight against liberal institutions it says didn’t take antisemitism and DEI concerns seriously.
In a letter sent to Harvard President Alan Garber on Monday and viewed by The Wall Street Journal, attorneys for the administration said the investigation found that Harvard knew Jewish and Israeli students felt threatened on its campus and acted with deliberate indifference.
“Failure to institute adequate changes immediately will result in the loss of all federal financial resources and continue to affect Harvard’s relationship with the federal government,” the letter states. “Harvard may of course continue to operate free of federal privileges, and perhaps such an opportunity will spur a commitment to excellence that will help Harvard thrive once again.”
Harvard didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Monday morning’s development is part of a broader Trump administration initiative aimed at countering the perceived dominance of leftist ideology in higher education — an environment it argues has enabled rising antisemitism.
Harvard has responded by filing a lawsuit against the administration, asserting that the government’s actions violate its First Amendment and due process rights.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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At approximately $53 billion Harvard doesn’t need federal funding anyway. Money is not a problem for them especially when adding an estimated annual return of 10% on its investments. The government should be dropping their funding and adding it to state universities that the majority of our student population can afford. This elitist BS has gone way too far and should be reigned in. They have become countries of their own rule and believe that everyone should bend to their whims.