Trump Administration threatens Harvard University with loss of federal grants [Latest 2022]

Overview:

In a letter addressed to the President of Harvard University, the Secretary of Education accused them of violating federal law.

In a dramatic escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and Harvard University, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon sent a blistering letter to Harvard President Dr. Alan Garber on May 5, 2025, declaring the university would no longer be eligible for federal grants. She cited what she called a “systemic pattern of violating federal law.”

“Receiving such taxpayer funds is a privilege, not a right,” McMahon wrote. “Yet instead of using these funds to advance the education of its students, Harvard is engaging in a systemic pattern of violating federal law. Where do many of these ‘students’ come from, who are they, how do they get into Harvard, or even into our country – and why is there so much HATE? These are questions that must be answered, among many more, but the biggest question of all is, why will Harvard not give straightforward answers to the American public?”

The letter further criticized Harvard’s admissions practices, alleged political bias, academic standards, and fiscal management, pointing to its $53.2 billion endowment as proof that the school could self-fund.

Dear @Harvard: pic.twitter.com/XmMimXfkX0
— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) May 5, 2025

However, the letter quickly drew attention not just for its aggressive tone, but for its writing. Social media users, including some affiliated with Harvard, shared images of the letter marked in red pen, highlighting grammatical errors such as the misuse of the word “systemic,” which many noted should have been “systematic.”

A Harvard spokesperson described McMahon’s directive as retaliation for the University’s recent lawsuit against the White House, calling it the latest effort to “impose unprecedented and improper control over Harvard University.”

“Harvard will also continue to defend against illegal government overreach aimed at stifling research and innovation that make Americans safer and more secure,” the spokesperson wrote.

This letter from MacMahon comes after Harvard University issued a statement to their community in April that they will not comply with the Trump administration’s 10 demands that focused on eliminating so-called DEI initiatives and screening for international students “supportive of terrorism and anti-Semitism.”.

“We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement. The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” the statement read from the University. “The administration’s prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government. It violates Harvard’s First Amendment rights and exceeds the statutory limits of the government’s authority under Title VI.”

The Trump administration is not new to sending letters to institutions and publicly chastising them. In February, the Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague letter warning educational institutions that they could face funding cuts, investigations, and potential prosecutions if they continue to teach specific aspects of American history, including lessons on slavery, diversity, and inclusion.

In response, a coalition of educators and sociologists has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s recent policy that threatens to withhold federal funding from schools and universities that do not comply with new guidelines by February 28. The lawsuit, brought by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT-Maryland, and the American Sociological Association, argued that the policy undermines civil rights laws and restricts academic freedom.

The Trump administration’s move to cut off future federal grants comes after months of criticism over Harvard’s handling of diversity initiatives, standardized testing, and controversial campus incidents. McMahon wrote that the university has “betrayed the ideal” of American education, claiming, “Harvard has made a mockery of this country’s higher education system.”

Whether the grant funding cutoff will stand or face legal challenges remains to be seen. Still, the unusual and public exchange has intensified the national conversation around higher education, federal funding, and political influence on campus.