The Trump administration is set to appeal a federal judge's order that reversed significant funding cuts to Harvard University, intensifying the ongoing conflict over the administration's requests for reforms at the prestigious Ivy League institution. The Justice Department submitted a notice of appeal late Thursday in relation to two consolidated lawsuits initiated by Harvard and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), which challenge the government's authority to influence the nation's oldest and wealthiest university.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled in September that the Trump administration's extensive funding cuts breached Harvard's First Amendment rights. The judge stated that the government imposed unconstitutional conditions on the federal funding and failed to adhere to the necessary federal procedures when sanctioning universities for civil rights violations. The Trump administration had cut over $2.6 billion from Harvard, accusing the university of inadequately addressing anti-Jewish bias on its campus. However, Judge Burroughs dismissed this claim, arguing that the administration was using antisemitism as a cover for what she described as a targeted, ideologically driven assault on elite universities across the nation.
The notice of appeal represents the initial step in the government's efforts to overturn this ruling, although it does not include any legal arguments at this stage. In response to the ruling, Liz Huston, a White House spokesperson, emphasized that Harvard had failed to protect its students from discrimination and asserted that the university should not be entitled to taxpayer funding. Huston expressed confidence that Harvard would be held fully accountable for its alleged failures.
Harvard officials, however, have expressed confidence in their position, stating that the federal district court ruled in their favor in September. They highlighted the reinstatement of critical research funding that supports science, medical advancements, national security, and enhances the nation’s economic priorities.
In a statement, Todd Wolfson, president of the AAUP, criticized the administration’s appeal as a continuation of a persistent effort to hinder essential research funding. He characterized it as an attempt to intimidate universities and faculty from engaging in speech, teaching, and research that is unfavorable to Donald Trump.
Harvard has been a primary target for Trump's administration in its campaign to leverage federal control of research funding to advocate for reforms at elite colleges, which he has criticized for being dominated by "woke" ideology. While Harvard has vigorously resisted these demands, other institutions such as Columbia, Brown, and Cornell have settled or reached agreements with the government.
Despite the ongoing legal dispute, negotiations between Harvard and the White House have continued. Trump previously indicated that a resolution might be forthcoming, suggesting that officials were nearing a deal requiring Harvard to pay $500 million to establish a "giant trade school" aimed at training workers for American industries. However, this proposed deal never came to fruition, and Trump has since refrained from commenting on the issue.
