BOSTON, Massachusetts – On Monday, Harvard University filed a lawsuit to stop President Donald Trump from freezing billions of dollars in funding for research. Harvard says the White House is trying to control the way the university works by taking away important money it needs for its projects.
Why Harvard is Suing
The university says that the White House gave Harvard a list of demands that could make it harder for the school to be independent. These demands include rules Harvard says would stop it from making its own decisions. Harvard argues that it should be able to make its own choices without interference from the government.
The lawsuit also says that Trump’s actions violate Harvard’s First Amendment rights, which protect freedom of speech. Harvard feels that the Trump administration is trying to control what they can teach and research.
What Trump Wants
President Trump has said that some universities, including Harvard, are not doing enough to stop things like antisemitism (hating Jewish people) and ideological bias (being unfair to some ideas or beliefs). He has accused universities of letting these things happen, especially during protests about the Palestinian conflict.
Harvard says it’s not true that they are allowing hate. They say their goal is to protect all students, and they follow laws that prevent discrimination. Harvard wants to keep fighting against hate but doesn’t agree with what Trump is trying to do.
The White House’s Response
A spokesperson from the White House, Harrison Fields, said that the government is no longer going to give Harvard and other schools so much money. He believes that taxpayer money should be used in a way that makes sense, and he thinks Harvard hasn’t been meeting the “basic conditions” needed to get that money.
What Happened to Harvard’s Funding
Since Trump became president, he has been reviewing how much money is being given to universities. Harvard was told to make changes, like banning masks and stopping certain programs about diversity and inclusion (making sure all people are treated fairly).
After not following these rules, the Trump administration froze $2.3 billion in funding for Harvard. They also threatened to take away the university’s tax-exempt status (meaning they wouldn’t be treated like a special, nonprofit organization anymore). Harvard was also told it might not be able to have foreign students.
Harvard’s Fight Against Hate
Harvard’s president, Alan Garber, said that the university will continue to fight against hate and follow the anti-discrimination laws. He believes that the government should work with them to stop hate, but not try to control what the school does. Instead of working together, Garber said the government is trying to control who Harvard hires and what it teaches.
Other Universities Joining the Fight
Some Harvard professors have also sued the government separately, and so have professors from other universities like Columbia University. They are all fighting for their rights to be free from government control.
What’s Next?
Harvard’s lawsuit is against several federal agencies, including Health and Human Services, Energy, and Education. The court will now decide whether or not the government can freeze the funding or make these changes.
