Harvard University has refused demands from the Trump administration to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies—a move that impacts admissions standards and hiring practices—resulting in a freeze of its federal funding.

According to reports by CNBC and Reuters on April 14th, $2.2 billion in federal grants provided during the Trump administration were suspended due to concerns regarding anti-Semitic activities within campus environments. The previous month had seen an announcement that approximately $900 million worth of contracts between Harvard University and government agencies would be under review.

The White House’s demands included requests to reduce the influence of faculty or students prioritizing radicalism over academic research, as well as establishing external oversight panels. Additionally, the administration asked Harvard University to base hiring decisions solely on merit—excluding considerations such as race, ethnicity, or nationality—and not admit any student perceived as hostile towards American values.

Harvard’s President Alan Garber stated that no political party should interfere with private universities' curriculum, hiring standards, or research fields. He further noted that while the government claims to combat anti-Semitism, its actions constitute a form of ideological censorship disguised as such.

The Trump administration’s significant cuts to federal budgets have impacted numerous prestigious American institutions and raised concerns about threats to academic freedom; recently, Columbia University had $400 million in grants revoked due to insufficient measures taken against anti-Semitic activities on campus. Similarly, the University of Pennsylvania experienced a freeze on its $175 million in funding following decisions allowing transgender athletes to participate in women’s swimming events.

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