Harvard University won a temporary reprieve this week after a federal judge restored more than $2 billion in research funding frozen by the Trump administration.
Judge Allison Burroughs ruled that the administration improperly linked the grants to campus antisemitism concerns, calling the move “ideologically motivated.”
The White House immediately vowed to appeal. Officials argue that Harvard has no constitutional right to taxpayer dollars and must be held accountable for campus policies.
President Donald Trump had preemptively criticized Burroughs, an Obama appointee, and reiterated his demand that Harvard pay at least $500 million to settle disputes.
ICYMI | A judge ruled Wednesday that the Trump administration illegally froze more than $2 billion in research funding at @Harvard over how officials handled alleged campus antisemitism.
— Inside Higher Ed (@insidehighered) September 4, 2025
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/d27HHdkQqz pic.twitter.com/gymKi7ATxm
Harvard leaders welcomed the ruling but admitted uncertainty remains. The administration is simultaneously negotiating with other universities, including UCLA, Cornell, and Northwestern, while exploring new levers such as patent challenges.
The standoff underscores Trump’s broader second-term strategy of using executive authority to rein in elite universities and reshape federal higher education policy.
Related:
TIPP Staff
TIPP Staff
