Uncertainty lingers for Harvard following their significant court triumph
The White House is set to challenge a recent ruling that restored over $2 billion in federal research funding for Harvard University, following a legal battle over alleged antisemitism on campus.
According to reports, White House Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston declared that Harvard remains ineligible for grants in the future, signalling the administration's intention to continue its efforts to hold the prestigious institution accountable.
The ruling, handed down by US District Judge Allison Burroughs, affirmed that the Trump administration had "trampled Harvard University's First Amendment rights and broke civil rights law." However, Judge Burroughs also noted that there was little connection between the research affected by the grant terminations and antisemitism.
The Trump administration's stance against Harvard has been supported by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who has expressed openness to finding new ways to pressure the university. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has also backed these efforts, stating that they are a demonstration of the Trump team working together across agencies.
President Donald Trump himself had previously called for Harvard to pay $500 million, and the administration is now seeking a $1 billion settlement from the University of California, Los Angeles, to restore $584 million in frozen federal funds.
In a tempered response, Harvard President Alan M. Garber suggested uncertainty ahead, stating that he plans to assess the implications of the ruling and monitor further legal developments. High-level discussions between Harvard and the White House have been ongoing towards a high-dollar deal to restore all federal funding and eliminate all ongoing lawsuits.
However, the administration's tactics have not gone uncontested. Tyler Coward, the lead counsel for government affairs at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, described the efforts as "flatly unlawful and unconstitutional."
The White House is also reportedly in negotiations with Cornell University and Northwestern University regarding frozen federal funds, suggesting that similar legal battles may arise with these institutions as well.
In the midst of this ongoing saga, Trump publicly attacked the judge and vowed to appeal the decision on social media, further escalating the tension between the White House and Harvard University. The funding pause for Harvard may still uphold, and the university is considering working with the administration towards a settlement deal.
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