Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
MaddowBlog-Federal judge: Trump administration went too far freezing $2.2 billion for Harvard
After the White House targeted the university’s finances, Harvard’s lawyers took the matter to court. So far, the school is winning.
After Harvard resisted ridiculous White House demands, Team Trump retaliated quickly and cut off .2 billion in grants.
— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-09-03T21:27:05.907Z
As a court unfreezes the funds, Harvard will benefit — but so will we. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/harvard-trump-funding-freeze-rcna228937
Donald Trump’s unusually aggressive campaign against Harvard University has been multifaceted, but at the heart of the offensive is the president taking aim at the school’s finances.....
The university and its lawyers took the matter to court. As NBC News reported, it’s now prevailed at the district court level.
While the judge acknowledged the White House’s allegations related to antisemitism at Harvard, she added, “There is, in reality, little connection between the research affected by the grant terminations and antisemitism.”
This is the second time this summer that the administration has lost a court fight with the university: In June, after the White House tried to rescind the school’s ability to host international students, the same federal judge blocked the policy from proceeding.
The case will likely be appealed, but in the meantime, it’s worth emphasizing that the money in question wasn’t allocated as gifts or rewards. At issue are scholarly research grants that were awarded after a competitive process. The federal funds weren’t about helping Harvard, they were about helping us.
To be sure, the university suffered as a result of the White House’s retaliatory tactics, but Harvard’s victory at the district court benefits the American public at least as much as it helps the school.
The university and its lawyers took the matter to court. As NBC News reported, it’s now prevailed at the district court level.
A federal judge in Boston on Wednesday ordered the Trump administration to unfreeze nearly $2.2 billion in federal grants to Harvard. U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs granted in part Harvard’s motion with respect to the freeze orders. ‘All freezes and terminations of funding to Harvard made pursuant to the Freeze Orders and Termination Letters on or after April 14, 2025 are vacated and set aside,’ the order said.
While the judge acknowledged the White House’s allegations related to antisemitism at Harvard, she added, “There is, in reality, little connection between the research affected by the grant terminations and antisemitism.”
This is the second time this summer that the administration has lost a court fight with the university: In June, after the White House tried to rescind the school’s ability to host international students, the same federal judge blocked the policy from proceeding.
The case will likely be appealed, but in the meantime, it’s worth emphasizing that the money in question wasn’t allocated as gifts or rewards. At issue are scholarly research grants that were awarded after a competitive process. The federal funds weren’t about helping Harvard, they were about helping us.
To be sure, the university suffered as a result of the White House’s retaliatory tactics, but Harvard’s victory at the district court benefits the American public at least as much as it helps the school.