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By Western Today StaffApril 21, 2025 | 6:00 PM ET
Harvard University filed a federal lawsuit Monday against the Trump administration, challenging a $2.2 billion freeze in federal research funding that the school claims is politically motivated and unconstitutional.
The lawsuit, filed in a U.S. district court, alleges the administration is using federal funding as leverage to force Harvard into accepting demands that include government oversight of hiring and academic content, and screening of international students. The complaint argues this campaign violates the university’s First Amendment rights and federal law.
The legal action follows the Trump administration’s move to impose additional cuts totaling $1 billion, compounding last week’s $2.2 billion freeze. University President Alan M. Garber called the administration’s actions an effort to “punish Harvard for protecting its constitutional rights.”
Named defendants include several federal agencies such as the Department of Education, Department of Justice, HHS, NASA, and the National Science Foundation. Harvard’s legal team includes attorneys with past ties to the Trump administration.
This marks another major legal clash between Harvard and Trump, following their 2021 battle over international student visas.
