Harvard University challenges funding cuts by Trump's administration in federal court
發佈日期: 2025-07-22 10:34
TVB News
Harvard University appeared in federal court Monday, challenging $2.6 billion in funding cuts by the Trump administration. The university accuses the government of using funding as leverage to control its academic decisions.
Supporters of Harvard University including students, professors, and alumni gathered outside of the courthouse with some holding signs reading "RESTORE RESEARCH GRANTS" and "PROTECT ACADEMIC FREEDOM."
The cuts followed Harvard's rejection of demands from a federal antisemitism task force. The task force wanted sweeping changes to Harvard's policies on campus protests, admissions, hiring and more. Harvard, with a $53 billion endowment, has self-funded some research but warns it can't cover all losses. The Trump administration denies retaliation, stating the cuts align with its policies.
The case is before U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, who is presiding over lawsuits brought by Harvard against the administration's efforts to keep it from hosting international students. In that case, she temporarily blocked the administration's efforts.
A lawyer for Harvard, Steven Lehotsky, said at Monday's hearing the case is about the government trying to control the "inner workings" of Harvard. The funding cuts, if not reversed, could lead to the loss of research, damaged careers and the closing of labs, he said.
A lawyer for the government, Michael Velchik, said the Trump administration has authority to cancel the grants after concluding the funding did not align with its priorities, namely Trump's executive order combating antisemitism.
He argued Harvard allowed antisemitism to flourish at the university following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel, including protesters camped out on campus chanting antisemitic slogans as well attacks on Jewish students.
