The Trump administration has thrown down the gauntlet at Harvard University, accusing the Ivy League giant of violating federal civil rights law by allowing anti-Semitism to fester on campus. A blistering letter from top officials warns the school to make immediate changes or risk losing federal funding—billions of dollars on the line.
The findings stem from an investigation led by the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, including officials from the Departments of Justice, Education, Health and Human Services, and the GSA. The report accuses Harvard of being in "violent violation" of civil rights laws and fostering a racially charged environment.
"Harvard's commitment to racial hierarchies... has enabled anti-Semitism to fester on Harvard's campus," officials stated, blasting the university for creating a climate where Jewish students are assaulted, spit on, and forced to hide their identities. A quarter of Jewish students reportedly feel physically unsafe, with pro-Palestinian encampments only stoking tensions.
Federal agencies are threatening to yank grants, contracts, and foreign student privileges, citing Harvard’s refusal to scrap its DEI agenda, implement merit-based practices, and disclose foreign funding. The administration previously made ten demands, most of which the school has ignored.
Harvard insists it has made “significant strides” against antisemitism and is “far from indifferent,” but strongly disagrees with the administration’s findings.
President Trump hinted a deal may be in the works, calling the university’s negotiation behavior “extremely appropriate” and teasing a “mindbogglingly HISTORIC” potential settlement. Whether Harvard bends the knee or doubles down remains to be seen—but one thing’s clear: the heat is on.