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Judge overturns Trump administration funding cuts to Harvard

September 4, 2025

A federal court has overturned the Trump administration's decision to cut approximately $2 billion in research grants to Harvard University, ruling that the government violated the university's free speech rights. Judge Allison Burroughs issued an 84-page decision that blocks the administration from stopping federal funding to Harvard while acknowledging that the university should have done more to address antisemitism. The White House has vowed to appeal the ruling, calling it an "egregious decision" made by an "activist" judge, while Harvard President Alan Garber affirmed that the ruling upholds the university's First Amendment rights.

Who is affected

  • Harvard University and its research programs
  • Students and faculty dependent on federal research grants
  • Other universities facing similar funding challenges (Columbia, Penn, and Brown)
  • Researchers working on federally funded projects at Harvard
  • Jewish community members at Harvard concerned about antisemitism

What action is being taken

  • The federal court is blocking the Trump administration from stopping federal funding to Harvard
  • The White House is preparing to appeal the court's decision
  • The government is discussing a potential deal with Harvard to unfreeze federal funding
  • Harvard is continuing to assess the implications of the court opinion and monitor further legal developments

Why it matters

  • The ruling preserves approximately $2 billion in research grants for Harvard
  • It establishes a precedent regarding the government's ability to withhold funding based on ideological differences
  • The case represents a conflict between federal funding authority and universities' First Amendment rights
  • The decision highlights ongoing tensions between addressing antisemitism on campus and maintaining academic freedom
  • It contrasts with the approach taken by other Ivy League institutions that negotiated settlements instead of litigation

What's next

  • The White House will challenge the ruling through an appeal process
  • Harvard will continue to assess the implications of the court opinion and monitor further legal developments
  • The government's discussions with Harvard about a potential deal to unfreeze federal funding may continue

Read full article from source: BBC