Harvard University has won its lawsuit against President Donald Trump and his administration concerning the multi-billion dollar funding freeze. A federal judge, on Wednesday, has ruled that the Trump administration acted unconstitutionally when it froze more than $2.6 billion in research funding to Harvard University, handing the institution a significant legal victory.
Earlier in 2025, the Trump administration imposed a freeze on $2.6 billion in federal research funding to Harvard University, linking the release of these funds to demands for significant changes in the university’s policies. These demands targeted Harvard’s admissions procedures, governance, diversity programs, and handling of campus antisemitism.
The administration argued that these changes were necessary to address concerns about discrimination and institutional accountability. However, Harvard viewed the funding freeze as politically motivated and an unconstitutional attempt to coerce the university into compliance with ideological requirements.
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In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit challenging the freeze, arguing that it violated constitutional protections including the First Amendment and federal statutes governing nondiscrimination and academic freedom.
Judge Allison D. Burroughs of the U.S. District Court said the freeze orders were retaliation for Harvard’s protected speech under the First Amendment. She also noted that the government failed to follow due process required under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which mandates notice, investigation, and response opportunities before ending federal assistance.
“A review of the administrative record makes it difficult to conclude anything other than that Defendants used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this country’s premier universities,” Burroughs wrote.
Burroughs vacated both the freeze orders and termination notices. She also issued a permanent injunction preventing the administration from attaching unconstitutional conditions to Harvard’s funding.
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For Harvard, the ruling not only restores crucial funding but also strengthens its position as a leading institution that can operate independently without undue government pressure.
White House Spokesperson Liz Huston said, “We will immediately move to appeal this egregious decision, and we are confident we will ultimately prevail in our efforts to hold Harvard accountable.”
While the White House has pledged to appeal, the ruling sets a legal precedent that may curtail future efforts to condition federal funding on political compliance. This ruling not only secures Harvard’s financial stability but also serves as a broader warning against using federal funding as a political tool. It reinforces the essential principle that academic institutions must remain independent from government pressure, preserving their role as spaces for free inquiry and diverse perspectives.