The Trump administration issued a sharp warning to Harvard University on Monday, accusing the Ivy League institution of violating federal civil rights laws by failing to adequately address antisemitism on campus. The administration warned that if Harvard does not act swiftly to correct the alleged issues, it could lose all federal funding — including vital student aid and research grants.
The letter, signed by top officials including Justice Department Civil Rights Division head Harmeet K. Dhillon, stated:
“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 administration added that Harvard could continue to operate without federal support, suggesting such a scenario “may spur a commitment to excellence that will help Harvard thrive once again.”
A Potential Financial Blow
The threat puts billions of dollars at risk for Harvard, which has received over $794 million in federal assistance since 2023, much of it tied to research and student financial aid. Roughly 20% of Harvard undergraduates rely on Pell Grants, a form of federal aid for low-income students. Losing access to those funds would be one of the most serious penalties a university can face.
Harvard Pushes Back
Harvard strongly rejected the government’s findings. Spokesperson Jason Newton said the university has already taken “substantive, proactive steps” to combat antisemitism on campus and shared those measures with federal investigators.
“Harvard is far from indifferent on this issue and strongly disagrees with the government’s findings,” Newton said.
Federal Investigation Cites Pattern of Discrimination
The accusations stem from an investigation launched by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which concluded in a 57-page report that Harvard had allowed a “pattern of unlawful and unchecked discrimination” against Jewish students, faculty, and staff — particularly since the start of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023.
The report outlines cases of student harassment, exclusion from campus events, and what it describes as institutional tolerance or participation in antisemitic conduct. It accuses Harvard of being “deliberately indifferent” in some instances, and “willfully complicit” in others.
Failed Negotiations
Despite months of backchannel talks between the university and government officials, a voluntary agreement has yet to be reached. Federal authorities say they will refer the case to the Justice Department unless Harvard signs a resolution agreement soon.
Just days ago, President Trump suggested a breakthrough was near. “It is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so,” he wrote on Truth Social. But the mood has since soured.
One senior administration official told POLITICO that Harvard “hasn’t lived up to its end of the bargain.”
“Talk is cheap, and the president isn’t in the business of agreeing to deals in name only or falling for empty promises,” the official said. “He and his administration remain committed to working with Harvard, but it’s a two-way street.”
The escalating dispute now leaves one of America’s most prestigious universities facing an unprecedented potential cutoff from federal support unless a resolution is reached soon.
