The Trump administration has threatened to withhold over $2.2 billion in federal funding from Harvard University, including $2 billion in general federal funds and an additional $1 billion allocated specifically for medical research.

The government demanded that Harvard change its institutional policies, including addressing concerns related to antisemitism and eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programming. Harvard refused to comply with these demands, citing an infringement on academic independence.

Harvard is suing on the grounds that the funding freeze violates the First Amendment and federal laws, constitutes government overreach, and improperly leverages federal funds to control academic policies and silence speech.

President Garber warned that the government's overreach and funding freeze would have severe and long-lasting consequences, including harming critical medical, scientific, and technological research that benefits public health and American innovation.

The Trump administration justified the funding review and freeze by citing concerns over antisemitism on campus and invoked Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to conduct a comprehensive review of federal contracts and grants, claiming Harvard had not adequately addressed these issues.