WASHINGTON: The US Department of Education has frozen new federal research grants to Harvard University, citing “disastrous mismanagement” and a failure to uphold legal and ethical standards.
In a three-page letter addressed to Harvard President Alan Garber, Education Secretary Linda McMahon wrote, “Harvard should no longer seek grants from the federal government, since none will be provided.”
The move escalates ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and elite universities, particularly over admissions, hiring practices, and campus responses to pro-Palestine protests.
The administration has already frozen over US$2.2 billion in federal grants and US$60 million in contracts tied to Harvard. In response, the university has filed a lawsuit, arguing the freeze violates the First Amendment and federal laws limiting presidential interference in IRS matters.
“Harvard has failed to abide by its legal obligations, fiduciary duties, and basic standards of academic rigour,” said McMahon, adding that prior efforts to keep funding intact depended on Harvard’s compliance with federal law.
She concluded: “Harvard has betrayed its ideal.” – BERNAMA
