The Trump administration has initiated an investigation into Harvard University’s handling of antisemitism on campus, placing the institution’s federal contracts and grants at risk. The Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced on Monday that it would conduct a “comprehensive review” of the university’s $8.7 billion in multi-year federal grants and $255.6 million in contracts, which include funds from various government agencies.
The investigation is focused on whether Harvard is in compliance with federal regulations, particularly its civil rights obligations, and comes after similar actions were taken against Columbia University earlier this month. The Department of Education and other government bodies have expressed concerns about Harvard’s failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment while allegedly promoting divisive ideologies that undermine academic freedom.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon issued a harsh critique of the university, stating that Harvard’s inaction has severely damaged its reputation, despite its status as a symbol of the American Dream. “Harvard’s failure to protect students on campus from antisemitic discrimination has put its reputation in serious jeopardy,” McMahon said in a statement.
The investigation comes in the wake of the Trump administration’s move to revoke $400 million in contracts and grants from Columbia University over similar concerns. In Columbia’s case, the university agreed to a set of demands from the administration, including enhancing campus security and implementing stricter policies, although these actions triggered widespread campus backlash.
The task force, which includes members from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the General Services Administration (GSA), is evaluating whether to issue “stop work orders” on specific contracts with Harvard. The university has been asked to submit a full list of all its contracts, both direct and through affiliates, not included in the initial review.
In response, Harvard President Alan Garber stated that the university is committed to engaging with the task force to provide a comprehensive account of its efforts to combat antisemitism. He emphasized that the loss of nearly $9 billion in federal funding would significantly disrupt vital research and innovation. “If this funding is stopped, it will halt life-saving research and imperil important scientific research,” Garber warned.
The ongoing investigation reflects the broader national debate over antisemitism on college campuses, with the Trump administration signaling that federal funding could be used as leverage to enforce stricter policies against discrimination. Harvard now faces a critical juncture, as it works to balance its academic freedoms with the pressure to address concerns surrounding antisemitism on campus.
