The US Department of Health and Human Services ( HHS ) cut an additional $60 million in multi-year grants to Harvard University on May 19, 2025, citing ongoing concerns of antisemitic harassment and racial discrimination on campus. This marks the third major funding cut directed at the university by the Trump administration in just two months, bringing the total value of rescinded federal funding to $2.7 billion.
The latest cut was announced on X late Monday evening, with HHS stating it is “taking decisive action to uphold civil rights in higher education.” According to reporting by The Harvard Crimson, this round of cuts applies only to grants administered through HHS and follows a $450 million cut announced earlier in May and a sweeping $2.2 billion reduction made in April by eight federal agencies.
Federal agencies escalate scrutiny over discrimination concerns
The Trump administration’s campaign against Harvard initially focused on allegations of campus antisemitism but has since expanded to include accusations of racial discrimination, particularly against white students and faculty. As reported by The Harvard Crimson, a letter related to the $450 million cut accused Harvard and the Harvard Law Review of engaging in discriminatory practices based on race.
In its public statements, the Trump administration has emphasized its commitment to “merit-based” admissions and hiring practices, criticizing Harvard for what it sees as preferential treatment based on race. A federal investigation into Harvard’s hiring practices was also launched, citing the university’s increasing faculty diversity as a potential indicator of bias, according to The Harvard Crimson.
Retaliation or civil rights enforcement? Legal battle intensifies
In response to the first two rounds of cuts, Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the funding reductions are unconstitutional. The university claims the actions violate the First Amendment and amount to retaliation for defending institutional autonomy. As of May 20, Harvard has not confirmed whether it received a formal letter regarding the latest $60 million cut, according to The Harvard Crimson.
Harvard President Alan M. Garber issued a pointed statement in April condemning the administration’s actions. The White House responded with threats to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, reduce research funding, and impose stricter visa policies on international students.
Emergency funding attempts to cushion blow
Garber had announced that the university’s central administration would allocate $250 million from a special fund to support research projects halted by federal stop-work orders. In a message to the Harvard community, he acknowledged that Harvard could not “absorb the entire cost” of the funding losses, as reported by The Harvard Crimson.
The series of funding cuts marks one of the most aggressive federal interventions into higher education in recent US history, signaling a deepening rift between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions.
The latest cut was announced on X late Monday evening, with HHS stating it is “taking decisive action to uphold civil rights in higher education.” According to reporting by The Harvard Crimson, this round of cuts applies only to grants administered through HHS and follows a $450 million cut announced earlier in May and a sweeping $2.2 billion reduction made in April by eight federal agencies.
Federal agencies escalate scrutiny over discrimination concerns
The Trump administration’s campaign against Harvard initially focused on allegations of campus antisemitism but has since expanded to include accusations of racial discrimination, particularly against white students and faculty. As reported by The Harvard Crimson, a letter related to the $450 million cut accused Harvard and the Harvard Law Review of engaging in discriminatory practices based on race.
HHS is taking decisive action to uphold civil rights in higher education. Due to Harvard University’s continued failure to address anti-Semitic harassment and race discrimination, HHS is terminating multiple multi-year grant awards—totaling approximately $60 million over their… pic.twitter.com/99aUd4ZVYF
— HHS.gov (@HHSGov) May 20, 2025
In its public statements, the Trump administration has emphasized its commitment to “merit-based” admissions and hiring practices, criticizing Harvard for what it sees as preferential treatment based on race. A federal investigation into Harvard’s hiring practices was also launched, citing the university’s increasing faculty diversity as a potential indicator of bias, according to The Harvard Crimson.
Retaliation or civil rights enforcement? Legal battle intensifies
In response to the first two rounds of cuts, Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, arguing that the funding reductions are unconstitutional. The university claims the actions violate the First Amendment and amount to retaliation for defending institutional autonomy. As of May 20, Harvard has not confirmed whether it received a formal letter regarding the latest $60 million cut, according to The Harvard Crimson.
Harvard President Alan M. Garber issued a pointed statement in April condemning the administration’s actions. The White House responded with threats to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, reduce research funding, and impose stricter visa policies on international students.
Emergency funding attempts to cushion blow
Garber had announced that the university’s central administration would allocate $250 million from a special fund to support research projects halted by federal stop-work orders. In a message to the Harvard community, he acknowledged that Harvard could not “absorb the entire cost” of the funding losses, as reported by The Harvard Crimson.
The series of funding cuts marks one of the most aggressive federal interventions into higher education in recent US history, signaling a deepening rift between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions.
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