On April 14, 2025, Harvard publicly stated it would not meet the White House’s demands, which are part of the administration’s campaign against antisemitism — a stance that could endanger up to $9 billion in federal funding.

A task force within the Education Department focused on combating antisemitism issued a statement criticizing Harvard’s response: “Harvard’s statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities — that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws.” The task force confirmed the freezing of $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts.

What does the Trump administration want from Harvard

In a letter sent to Harvard last Friday, the administration called for sweeping reforms, including changes in governance, mandatory “merit-based” admissions and hiring practices, and an audit to evaluate student, faculty, and leadership opinions on diversity.

The updated list of demands from the administration includes a ban on face masks, seemingly targeting pro-Palestinian demonstrators, and the suspension of students who participated in building occupations during protests.

Other stipulations require Harvard to defund or derecognize any student group that supports criminal acts, violence, or harassment, and to revamp its admissions policy to exclude international students perceived as “hostile to American values” or supportive of terrorism or antisemitism.

How has Harvard responded to these Demands

In a letter addressed to the Harvard community, University President Alan Garber rejected the demands, stating they violated Harvard’s First Amendment rights and exceeded the federal government’s legal authority under Title VI, which bans discrimination based on race, color, or national origin.

“No government — regardless of the political party in power — should control what private universities teach, who they admit or hire, or which academic fields they pursue,” Garber wrote. He added that Harvard had already implemented significant reforms to address antisemitism on campus.

“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.” – President Alan Garber https://t.co/6cQQpcJVTd

— Harvard University (@Harvard) April 14, 2025

“These goals cannot be accomplished by exerting unchecked power to dictate the operations of a university,” Garber emphasized. “The responsibility for addressing our issues and fulfilling our values lies with us as a community.”

The Department of Education has not responded to media inquiries regarding the funding freeze.

Political support to Harvard by the Democrats

Meanwhile, Democrat lawmakers have praised Harvard’s decision to defy the Trump administration’s directive to revise its hiring policies and eliminate diversity initiatives, despite the threat of losing billions in federal funding.

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Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont expressed his support for Harvard University’s decision to resist the Trump administration’s directive to dismantle diversity initiatives and overhaul hiring policies. He encouraged other universities facing similar pressures to remain steadfast in upholding their principles. Additionally, Sanders criticized certain law firms that, in his view, are aligning with former President Trump’s agenda rather than defending democratic values.

In a statement posted on X, Sanders commended Harvard for standing up against what he described as authoritarian demands, urging other institutions to follow suit. He also called out law firms that have agreed to provide substantial pro bono legal services to the Trump administration, suggesting they should instead focus on defending the rule of law.

Congratulations to Harvard for refusing to relinquish its constitutional rights to Trump’s authoritarianism.

Other universities should follow their lead.

And instead of doing pro bono work for Trump, cowardly law firms should be defending those who believe in the rule of law.

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 14, 2025

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Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also criticized the Trump administration’s actions, describing them as an overreach. He supported Harvard’s decision to resist the administration’s demands, characterizing those demands as an unlawful attempt to undermine universities.