Trump Administration Sues Harvard Over Antisemitism, Seeks to Recover Billions in Federal Funds

The Justice Department filed a lawsuit against Harvard University in federal court in Massachusetts, alleging the university's leadership failed to address antisemitism on campus in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The lawsuit seeks to freeze existing federal grants and recover billions in previously awarded funds. According to The Guardian, Trump stated in February 2026 he wanted a $1 billion payout from Harvard for perceived antisemitism. If successful, the lawsuit could block distribution of up to $9 billion in future grants. This marks the latest escalation in a months-long battle between the Trump administration and Harvard after settlement negotiations stalled. A federal judge previously ruled in an earlier lawsuit that the government was using antisemitism allegations as a 'smokescreen' to cut university funding. The lawsuit follows Trump's public feuding with Harvard and represents what critics characterize as weaponization of the Justice Department aga...

"The United States cannot and will not tolerate these failures" — Statement from the Justice Department lawsuit filing against Harvard University