Trump Administration's Cuts to Harvard Funding Are Unconstitutional, Judge Rules

White House vows to appeal after court orders government to restore billions of dollars in funding

- Sara Randazzo & Douglas Belkin

The federal government improperly cut off $2.2 billion in research funding from Harvard University and must restore the funds, a federal judge ruled Wednesday, concluding the Trump administration's actions violated Harvard's constitutional rights.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs of Massachusetts comes as Harvard and the Trump administration have been in talks to resolve months of the government's pressure tactics over what it calls antisemitism and diversity-related concerns. President Trump said last month that he wants no less than $500 million from Harvard, telling Education Secretary Linda McMahon during a cabinet meeting: "They've been very bad. Don't negotiate."

The Trump administration vowed to appeal the court ruling.

"To any fair-minded observer, it is clear that Harvard University failed to protect their students from harassment and allowed discrimination to plague their campus for years," a White House spokeswoman said. "We are confident we will ultimately prevail in our efforts to hold Harvard accountable."

Beyond the $2.2 billion, Harvard's ability to get money from the government in the future remains a question mark. Burroughs ordered the federal government not to cut off any additional funds to Harvard in retaliation for exercising its First Amendment rights, or without properly following the law. But the White House spokeswoman said Harvard remained ineligible for grants in the future and "does not have a constitutional right to taxpayer dollars."