Harvard Has Set the Example: Obama, Sanders React to University’s Defiance of Trump’s Funding Freeze.

 

Harvard University is refusing to comply with the Trump administration's directives related to antisemitism, a decision that has led to the suspension of over $2 billion in federal funding. The move has drawn praise from supporters who view it as a strong stand for academic freedom and institutional independence in the face of political pressure.

Trump Administration Freezes $2.2 Billion in Harvard Funding Over Antisemitism Dispute

The Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Antisemitism has announced a freeze on more than $2.2 billion in multi-year federal grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University. The move follows Harvard’s refusal to comply with the administration’s directives concerning antisemitism on campus.

The funding freeze was triggered after Harvard's president issued a public statement rejecting the administration’s demands. In response, the task force accused the university of fostering a “troubling entitlement mindset” and failing to meet its obligations under federal civil rights laws.

“Harvard’s statement today reinforces the troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges—that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws,” the task force said. It added, “The disruption of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years is unacceptable. The harassment of Jewish students is intolerable.”

The freeze affects both current and future funding, including major research grants and academic programs.

Former President Barack Obama weighed in on the controversy, praising Harvard for standing its ground. Sharing the university’s post, he wrote:

“Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions—rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to ensure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate, and mutual respect. Let’s hope other institutions follow suit.”

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont praised Harvard’s stance, writing, “Congratulations to Harvard for standing firm and refusing to surrender its constitutional rights to Trump’s authoritarianism. Other universities should follow their example. Rather than doing pro bono work on behalf of Trump, law firms should be standing up for those who defend the rule of law.” It’s also worth noting that the Trump administration’s decision came in response to a statement by Harvard University President Alan M. Garber, who affirmed the university would not comply with the administration’s demands—even at the risk of losing federal funding.

Trump Escalates Crackdown on Federal Funding for Ivy League Schools

The Trump administration has suspended federal funding to all Ivy League universities—excluding the University of Pennsylvania and Dartmouth College—as part of a broader crackdown linked to ongoing investigations into anti-Israel demonstrations that began in October 2023. The funding freeze extends beyond the Ivy League, impacting several universities nationwide under the same probe. Earlier this month, a federal task force on antisemitism launched a formal review of Harvard University's federal funding portfolio, which includes nearly $9 billion in grants and contracts.