The White House on Wednesday defended its decision to freeze over $2 billion in federal funding to Harvard University , calling it “common sense” and suggesting that other Ivy League schools could face similar scrutiny.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move came after Harvard failed to comply with a list of demands from the Trump administration, including changes to admissions policies and efforts to combat antisemitism.
“The president’s position on this is grounded in common sense—the basic principle that Jewish American students, or students of any faith, should not be illegally harassed and targeted on our nation’s college campuses,” Leavitt said during a press briefing, adding that such discrimination had occurred at Harvard.
Pressed by Fox News’ Peter Doocy on why Ivy League schools receive so much taxpayer funding , Leavitt called it “a very good question,” saying President Trump has raised the issue in talks with Harvard, Columbia, and other elite institutions.
She further claimed that federal dollars were enabling “egregious illegal behavior,” accusing universities of both indoctrination and negligence in addressing antisemitism.
“We have the antisemitism task force , which the president promised and delivered on,” she said. “A lot of Americans are wondering why their tax dollars are going to universities that allow such behavior to occur.”
Although Leavitt did not confirm whether other Ivy League schools would be targeted next, she emphasized that the administration’s stance was “rooted in common sense.”
Harvard rebuffs demands, raises legal red flags
Harvard University responded by rejecting the administration’s proposed agreement, calling it unconstitutional and beyond the federal government’s authority under Title VI .
President Alan M Garber said the terms would give the government excessive control over campus expression and eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
“It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner,” Garber said. “We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement.”
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the move came after Harvard failed to comply with a list of demands from the Trump administration, including changes to admissions policies and efforts to combat antisemitism.
“The president’s position on this is grounded in common sense—the basic principle that Jewish American students, or students of any faith, should not be illegally harassed and targeted on our nation’s college campuses,” Leavitt said during a press briefing, adding that such discrimination had occurred at Harvard.
Pressed by Fox News’ Peter Doocy on why Ivy League schools receive so much taxpayer funding , Leavitt called it “a very good question,” saying President Trump has raised the issue in talks with Harvard, Columbia, and other elite institutions.
She further claimed that federal dollars were enabling “egregious illegal behavior,” accusing universities of both indoctrination and negligence in addressing antisemitism.
“We have the antisemitism task force , which the president promised and delivered on,” she said. “A lot of Americans are wondering why their tax dollars are going to universities that allow such behavior to occur.”
Although Leavitt did not confirm whether other Ivy League schools would be targeted next, she emphasized that the administration’s stance was “rooted in common sense.”
DOOCY: “Why do Ivy League schools receive so much federal funding?”
— Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) April 15, 2025
PRESS SEC: “Its a very good question…I think a lot of Americans are wondering why their tax dollars are going to these universities when they are not only indoctrinating our nation’s students but also allowing… pic.twitter.com/y9Zl0l8mq9
Harvard rebuffs demands, raises legal red flags
Harvard University responded by rejecting the administration’s proposed agreement, calling it unconstitutional and beyond the federal government’s authority under Title VI .
President Alan M Garber said the terms would give the government excessive control over campus expression and eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
“It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner,” Garber said. “We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement.”
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