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(Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to remove an additional $1 billion in funding aimed at health research from Harvard University, as reported by the Wall Street Journal. This development is part of a broader confrontation between the Trump administration and prestigious educational institutions.
The administration has already withheld federal funding from Harvard, Columbia, and several other universities due to their perceived inadequate response to pro-Palestinian protests, which the administration associates with rising antisemitism on campus.
In response to these pressures, Harvard firmly rejected the administration’s demand for greater control over its student body, faculty, and educational content, arguing that such measures would undermine the independence of the university.
Shortly after Harvard’s rebuff, the Trump administration took action by halting $2.3 billion in federal funding designated for the university, along with a subsequent threat to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status.
According to the Journal, the move to withdraw an additional $1 billion in research funding emerged after the administration perceived that a comprehensive list of demands sent to Harvard on April 11 was confidential. Harvard’s decision to make the letter public took officials by surprise.
Initially, Trump administration officials intended to adopt a more lenient approach towards Harvard compared to Columbia; however, internal dynamics have led to increased pressure on the prestigious university.
At the time of reporting, both Harvard and the White House had not provided a response to inquiries from Reuters regarding the situation.
Since taking office in January, Trump has intensified scrutiny of leading U.S. universities, criticizing them for their handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations and alleged failures to address rising antisemitism on campuses. Many protesters, including representatives from Jewish organizations, contend that critiques of Israel’s actions are being mischaracterized as antisemitic.
The administration had initially presented a set of demands on April 3, outlining conditions for Harvard to retain its federal funding. These stipulations included implementing a mask mandate, eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and enhancing collaboration with law enforcement.
Further demands were outlined in the April 11 correspondence, which was signed by officials from the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and the General Services Administration. This letter instructed Harvard to cease recognizing certain pro-Palestinian organizations and required reporting of international students who violate university policies, among other requests.
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