Trump Cuts $100M in Federal Contracts to Harvard

The Trump administration has directed federal agencies to terminate approximately $100 million in remaining contracts with Harvard University, intensifying an ongoing dispute over the university's handling of antisemitism, admissions practices, and compliance with federal directives.

On May 27, the General Services Administration (GSA) issued a memo instructing all federal agencies to review and cancel existing contracts with Harvard, unless no viable alternatives exist. Agencies are required to report their actions by June 6. 

This move follows a previous freeze of over $2.3 billion in federal research grants to Harvard, reflecting the administration's broader strategy to penalize institutions it perceives as ideologically misaligned. 

Allegations of Antisemitism and Policy Noncompliance

The administration accuses Harvard of failing to adequately address antisemitism on campus and engaging in discriminatory admissions practices. Additionally, the university's reluctance to provide detailed information on international students has led to the Trump administration banning enrollment of foreign students. 

Harvard's Response and Legal Actions

Harvard President Alan Garber has criticized the funding cuts as "perplexing" and detrimental to national research interests. The university has filed lawsuits challenging the administration's actions, arguing that they constitute an overreach of federal authority and threaten academic freedom. 

As the June 6 deadline approaches, the academic community watches closely, concerned about the implications of federal intervention in university governance and the potential impact on research and international collaboration

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