A U.S. federal judge on Wednesday struck down billions in research funding cuts imposed on Harvard University by the Trump administration, ruling that the government had violated the Ivy League institution’s free speech rights. The decision restores around $2 billion in federal grants to Harvard and marks a significant legal victory for the nation’s oldest and wealthiest university.
Judge Allison Burroughs of Boston wrote in her 84-page ruling that Harvard should have done more to combat antisemitism, which she said had “plagued” the campus in recent years. However, she found that the Trump administration’s actions went far beyond addressing antisemitism, using it as a “smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically motivated assault on this country’s premier universities.”
“The Court vacates and sets aside the Freeze Orders and Termination Letters as violative of the First Amendment,” Judge Burroughs wrote, blocking the administration from halting any current federal funding or withholding payment on existing grants.
The funding freeze which was first announced in April, came amid accusations from the White House that Harvard promoted “radical left” ideologies, racial bias, and antisemitism. While three other Ivy League universities like Columbia, Penn, and Brown struck deals to preserve their funding rather than go to court, Harvard chose to challenge the administration’s actions.
Harvard President Alan Garber called the ruling a reaffirmation of the university’s First Amendment and procedural rights. “No government should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” he said. He added that the university would continue to monitor legal developments carefully and assess the implications for its future research and programs.
The White House immediately vowed to appeal the decision. Assistant press secretary Liz Huston called the ruling “egregious” and described Judge Burroughs, appointed by former President Barack Obama, as an “activist” who was predisposed to rule against the administration. She added, “Harvard does not have a constitutional right to taxpayer dollars and remains ineligible for grants in the future.”
The case is part of a broader framework of legal battles between the Trump administration and U.S. universities, particularly over immigration and research funding policies. Judge Burroughs previously blocked attempts to restrict international students at Harvard, signaling a consistent judicial pushback against the administration’s university policies.
As the dispute continues, the government has also explored potential settlements with Harvard to unfreeze federal funding, with Trump reportedly demanding no less than $500 million. For now, the ruling stands as a landmark affirmation of academic independence and First Amendment protections, sending a clear message about limits on government authority over private universities.
