Retribution is fast.
An anti-Semitism task force in government said late Monday it plans to freeze $2.2 billion in multi-year grants after Harvard decided to reject new government requests. In a statement earlier in the day, Garber argued that the expanded request crossed the red line about academic freedom and higher education interventions.
Harvard University in a letter to American institutions was condemned by two law firms, believed by Democratic lawmakers, alumni and academics who have been eager to see boycotts of President Donald Trump using threats and executive orders to transform institutions.
The White House criticized the school’s response to disruptions surrounding pro-Palestinian students following the 2023 attack on Hamas’ response to Israel and Jewish states in Gaza. The government has canceled $400 million in funding to Columbia University, suspended funds to Northwest and Cornell University, and suspended funds from Princeton.
U.S. agencies previously said they are reviewing about $9 billion in Harvard University grants and contracts. This has attracted the attention of teachers, students, lawmakers and alumni that these actions are suppressing freedom of speech and undermining scientific efforts. A Harvard spokesman mentioned Garber’s earlier statement when asked about freezing funds: “Getting the government back into these partnerships now has not only thousands of people, but the economy and scope of the individual, the health of the business, and the maintenance of economic and well-being.
