Harvard Sues Donald Trump: Read Complaint in Full

Harvard is suing the Trump Administration to lift the $2.2 billion funding freeze imposed after the Ivy League college defied a list of demands for sweeping changes to its governance and admissions.

The Trump Administration’s demands relate to antisemitism on campus around protests related to the war in Gaza and its push against diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

“The Government has not—and cannot—identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation,” said the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court.

“Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvard’s research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress.”

Harvard’s suit called the funding freeze “arbitrary and capricious,” saying it violated its First Amendment rights and the statutory provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Within hours, the White House lashed back. “The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families is coming to an end,” White House spokesman Harrison Fields said on Monday.

“Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege.”

You can read Harvard’s full complaint below.

This is a developing article and more information will be added shortly.

This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.