Judge Appears Skeptical of Harvard Funding Cuts

Harvard University blasted the Trump administration in federal court Monday, alleging that the federal government is illegally attempting to cut billions of dollars in federal research funding, a move the institution’s lawyers called blatantly unconstitutional, The Boston Globe reported.

The Trump administration froze multiple lines of federal research funding to Harvard earlier this year amid a fight over how the university has handled alleged antisemitism on campus. Harvard pushed back on the cancellation of federal grants and contracts in an April lawsuit.

At Monday’s hearing in Boston, a government lawyer argued that Harvard had failed to police antisemitism and that the Trump administration could legally cancel those funds because it had determined that the university was operating against the priorities of the executive branch.

Federal Judge Allison D. Burroughs reportedly appeared skeptical of the Trump administration’s stance, at one point calling its argument “a bit mindboggling,” according to The Boston Globe. She also argued that the government had not provided documentation to back up its claims that Harvard failed to take appropriate steps to crack down on alleged antisemitism on campus.

Burroughs did not issue a ruling from the bench on Monday.

(She previously ruled against the government in another case in June, temporarily blocking efforts by the Trump administration to prevent Harvard from enrolling international students.)

The judge’s skeptical stance prompted outrage from President Donald Trump.

“The Harvard case was just tried in Massachusetts before an Obama appointed Judge. She is a TOTAL DISASTER, which I say even before hearing her Ruling. She has systematically taken over the various Harvard cases, and is an automatic ‘loss’ for the People of our Country!” Trump wrote on social media.

He promised to “IMMEDIATELY appeal, and WIN” if Burroughs ruled against the government.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon also took a shot at the university on social media, writing: “Harvard dragged the US to Court because they want billions in taxpayer funding but refuse to end discrimination and harassment on campus. There is an easier solution: take antisemitism seriously and recommit to truth, merit in hiring and admissions, and rigorous instruction.”