By USA Daily Now 
Harvard University has initiated legal action against the Trump administration, challenging its unprecedented freeze on billions of dollars in federal research funding. The lawsuit, filed on Monday, asserts that the administration’s actions are both unlawful and exceed its authority.
HARVARD PRESIDENT ALAN GARBER publicly addressed the lawsuit in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “Moments ago, we filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government’s authority.” The university’s legal action follows reports that the Trump administration plans to cut an additional $1 billion in federal grants and contracts to Harvard, as disclosed by The Wall Street Journal. This reduction comes on top of a previously announced $2.2 billion funding freeze last week.
In response, a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital, “Harvard’s gravy train of federal assistance is coming to an end. Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege.” The spokesperson criticized Harvard for allegedly enriching its “grossly overpaid bureaucrats” with taxpayer dollars.
Harvard’s 51-page complaint, obtained by Fox News Digital, accuses the administration of unlawfully freezing research funding to coerce the university into restructuring its governance, academic programs, and hiring practices. The lawsuit argues that the freeze violates the First Amendment by imposing viewpoint-based conditions on funding. “No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” the complaint states.
The complaint also highlights the severe consequences of the funding freeze on Harvard’s research initiatives, which aim to advance medical breakthroughs, scientific discoveries, and technological innovation. “The Government has not—and cannot—identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen,” the document reads.
The lawsuit comes amid escalating tensions between Harvard and the Trump administration over allegations of antisemitism on campus. Last week, the White House urged the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, citing its alleged failure to address antisemitism effectively. While acknowledging the issue, Harvard’s complaint emphasizes its commitment to combating antisemitism and fostering intellectual diversity.
In a recent social media post, former President DONALD TRUMP criticized Harvard, claiming the university “has lost its way” and “teaches Hate and Stupidity.” He argued that Harvard no longer deserves federal funding, accusing its faculty of promoting “woke, Radical Left” ideologies.
The lawsuit underscores Harvard’s determination to preserve its independence and constitutional rights. “The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” the complaint declares.
This legal battle marks another chapter in the ongoing clash between Harvard and the Trump administration, raising critical questions about the role of federal funding in higher education and the limits of governmental authority over private institutions.
**Sources:**
[The Wall Street Journal](https://www.wsj.com)
[Fox News Digital](https://www.foxnews.com)
[Internal Revenue Service (IRS)](https://www.irs.gov)