HARVARD UNIVERSITY
AMN / WEB DESK
Harvard University has secured a major legal victory against the Trump administration after a federal judge ruled that the government acted unlawfully when it froze billions of dollars in research funds under the pretext of combating antisemitism.
The lawsuit stemmed from an order issued last year that halted funding to several universities, including Harvard, amid accusations that campuses had failed to address antisemitism. The administration argued that federal grants could be withheld as leverage to ensure compliance with civil rights obligations. Harvard challenged the move, calling it politically motivated and damaging to academic freedom and research integrity.
In a strongly worded judgment, the court found that the government had overstepped its authority. The judge ruled that while combating antisemitism was a legitimate concern, the administration could not arbitrarily suspend legally appropriated funds without due process or clear evidence of violations. “The executive branch may not unilaterally weaponise funding to silence institutions or bypass established law,” the decision stated.
The ruling immediately restores access to billions in stalled grants, which support projects ranging from medical research to climate science. Harvard officials hailed the decision as a victory not only for the university but for higher education nationwide. “This judgment reaffirms that research cannot be held hostage to political agendas,” said a university spokesperson.
Civil liberties groups and academic associations also welcomed the verdict, warning that unchecked political interference in research funding could undermine U.S. global leadership in science and innovation.
The Trump administration is expected to appeal, maintaining that universities must be held accountable for campus climate. However, legal experts suggest the ruling sets a strong precedent protecting universities from sweeping federal actions that lack a clear legal basis.