Harvard President Discusses Federal Fight

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Alan Garber’s lawyer told him he shouldn’t speak at the Economic Club on Thursday, in the midst of his institution’s protracted legal battle with the Trump administration over federal research funding.

The Harvard University president did so anyway, spending almost an hour in a friendly interview with David Rubenstein, a Harvard donor and co-founder of the private equity firm the Carlyle Group. Throughout the interview, Garber argued that Harvard’s legal battle with the federal government—which has sought to cut off $2.2 billion in research funding over allegations that the university mishandled antisemitism on campus—could have far-reaching consequences not only for Harvard and the higher education sector but also the nation.

Though Harvard won the first round in its legal battle last fall when a federal judge determined that the funding freeze was illegal, a Trump administration appeal is still playing out. The Department of Justice also sued Harvard in February, alleging the university was slow-walking responses to an investigation into its admissions processes. (Harvard has denied the claims in the DOJ lawsuit.)

Multiple congressional investigations into Harvard are also in motion.

“Many universities have settled with the Trump administration on various points the Trump administration has made against them. Harvard has famously not settled,” said Rubenstein, who at times appeared more an ally than an inquisitor, prompting applause. “How come you haven’t settled, and are you planning to look for a settlement?”

Garber quickly noted, “There are some things I can’t say.” Then he offered a response that largely sidestepped the settlement question but underscored the stakes of the legal fight.

“This is about the relationship between the federal government and America’s universities, and that’s particularly true for America’s research universities,” he said. “Research funding has been withheld in order to force agreements about some issues that—for us and for other universities—cross red lines having to do with the ability of universities to use their judgment in deciding what kind of research to perform, which students they should admit, which faculty should be hired, what we teach and so on.”

Garber added that while research universities and the federal government have long had a strong relationship, the fight threatens to imperil the nation’s standing in science and technology, which raises concerns not just for higher education but also for the national interest.

He later noted that while universities are pursuing philanthropy, corporate partnerships and cost reductions to mitigate the impact of the funding cuts, ultimately “nobody can replace the federal government.”

Rubenstein also asked about the exodus of scientists and other researchers to countries such as China, though Garber noted that is not an issue for Harvard. He said he was more concerned about the declining inflow of talent due to restrictions on international students, including the recently proposed effort to limit the amount of time they can study in the U.S.

But even as international enrollments slip across the country, Garber said, the numbers have held strong for Harvard, though the university has seen shifts. Some schools on campus have welcomed fewer international students, he said, while others have seen stronger numbers.

Rubenstein also asked him how Harvard has taken the fight to Capitol Hill through lobbying efforts. To date, Garber said, he’s met with an estimated 160 members of Congress. While some have been “hostile,” he said he’s had more good than bad meetings with lawmakers.

“Congress has an important role to play in basically defending research,” Garber said. “That is where there are members of both parties who very much believe in the importance of the American research enterprise. And yes, we are visiting Congress. Yes, we are making the case, and it is having an effect. But in some cases, it’s not very hard to persuade people because they see what’s at stake and they recognize more of that privately than they sometimes do publicly.”

An Inside Higher Ed analysis found that Harvard spent $950,000 on federal lobbying efforts in 2025. So far, Harvard has spent $430,000 this year, according to federal lobbying disclosures.

Rubenstein also jokingly asked Garber about the job itself and whether he would wish it on a friend or enemy. In response, Garber said it was a bit like being a beekeeper: Ultimately, it’s not so bad as long as you’re not allergic to being stung.