The Trump administration’s act of cutting off $2.2 billion (about 9.3 billion ringgit) in research funding for Harvard University was ruled by a US court on the 3rd as violating Harvard’s constitutional rights and that the funds must be restored. The Trump administration vowed to appeal.
In the ruling, Massachusetts district judge Burroughs pointed out that the federal government may not cut off any additional funding to Harvard as retaliation for its exercise of First Amendment rights, or for failing to follow proper legal procedures.
Burroughs emphasized: “We must combat antisemitism, but we also need to protect our rights, including the right to free speech. These two goals should not, and do not need to, be sacrificed for one another.”
Previously, the Trump administration’s visa ban targeting Harvard had already been blocked by the court.
Since taking office, Trump has pressured colleges over their admissions policies by accusing them of tolerating antisemitic activities, and threatened to cut funds, causing tight budgets at many universities.
At a court hearing this July, Harvard argued that the federal government violated its constitutional rights when cutting off funding, and did not follow the usual procedures for changing government contract terms.
A White House spokesperson responded on the 3rd: “It is clear that Harvard University has failed to protect its students from harassment and has allowed discrimination to trouble its campus for years. We believe we will ultimately prevail in our effort to hold Harvard accountable.”
The spokesperson noted that Harvard will still not be eligible for funding in the future and that “there is no constitutional right to taxpayer money.”