US Judge Reverses $ 2.6 Billion Harvard Funding Cuts By Trump Administration

Last Updated:September 04, 2025, 07:25 IST

The judge dismissed 'antisemitism' allegations by the Trump administration and referred to the allegations as 'ideologically-motivated'.

Harvard University (Reuters image)

A federal judge in Boston on Wednesday ordered the Trump administration to give back over USD 2.5 billion in research funding for Harvard University, marking a landmark victory for the university. The court also dismissed the administration’s argument about alleged antisemitism on campus.

The ruling came from US District Judge Allison Burroughs, who noted that the action by the Trump administration “has jeopardized decades of research and the welfare of all those who could stand to benefit from that research, as well as reflect a disregard for the rights protected by the Constitution and federal statutes."

“A review of the administrative record makes it difficult to conclude anything other than that defendants used antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this country’s premier universities," wrote Burroughs.

The Harvard community hailed the ruling by the court and said in an official statement that it “validates our arguments in defense of the university’s academic freedom, critical scientific research, and the core principles of American higher education."

“Even as we acknowledge the important principles affirmed in today’s ruling, we will continue to assess the implications of the opinion, monitor further legal developments, and be mindful of the changing landscape in which we seek to fulfill our mission," Harvard President Alan Garber said.

White House Reaction

While the ruling marks a win for the University, the Trump administration is likely to continue its battle. Following the ruling, White House spokesperson Liz Huston said that the university failed to protect their students from harassment

“This activist Obama-appointed judge was always going to rule in Harvard’s favor, regardless of the facts. 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," Liz Huston told CNN on Wednesday.

Anushka Vats

Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her...Read More

Anushka Vats is a Sub-Editor at News18.com with a passion for storytelling and a curiosity that extends beyond the newsroom. She covers both national and international news. For more stories, you can follow her...

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First Published:

September 04, 2025, 07:21 IST

News world US Judge Reverses $ 2.6 Billion Harvard Funding Cuts By Trump Administration

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