Harvard seeks billions in funding restored at a pivotal hearing in its standoff with Trump

Judge Burroughs, who has earlier blocked a Trump policy on overseas students, pressed Government lawyer Michael Velchik to explain why grants were cancelled without proof that any project spread antisemitism. “You have given me no papers and no clear rules,” she said. Mr Velchik replied that Washington may stop grants that do not follow the president’s orders and added, “The Government is pro-Jewish students at Harvard. The Government is pro-Jewish staff at Harvard.”

The cuts follow an 11 April letter from a federal antisemitism task force. It asked Harvard to check the political views of students and staff and, if voices were missing, to admit or hire people with other views. Harvard refused. On the same day, agencies began blocking new money and later ended contracts worth £2.2 billion.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon then barred the university from applying for fresh grants. Over the next weeks, agencies sent letters ending active projects under a clause that lets the Government cancel work that no longer matches policy.

Harvard, whose endowment is about £41 billion, has paid for some work itself but says it cannot replace all the lost public support. In court papers the university said ending funds for research on cancer, veterans’ health and national security “does not fight antisemitism”, and warned of damage to careers and public health.

The administration denies retaliation, saying reviews began before April. Mr Velchik told the court the dispute is “a question of how to spend taxpayers’ money”.

Harvard and the American Association of University Professors, which has joined the action, say the freeze seeks to punish the university for protected speech. They argue that forcing audits of opinion would let officials decide what can be taught. Harvard president Alan Garber says no government “should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study they can pursue”.

Judge Burroughs reserved judgement and will issue a written decision. If she cancels the freeze, the grants could restart and appeals may follow. If she upholds the cuts, Harvard could try the appeals court.

Trump, has also warned that Harvard might lose its tax-free status. Last month officials said the university “tolerated antisemitism”, a finding that could one day cut off all federal funds, including student loans, a penalty known as a “death sentence”.

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