The U.S. government has announced a freeze on $2.2 billion in funding for Harvard University following the school's refusal to comply with demands from the Trump administration.

Source: press release from the U.S. Department of Education

Quote: "The Joint Task Force on Antisemitism is announcing the freezing of $2.2 billion in long-term grants and $60 million in contracts for Harvard University".

Details: Last week, the White House sent Harvard a list of requirements aimed at imposing strict government oversight and significant changes in the university's governance. However, on Monday, April 14, Harvard rejected these demands, stating that the Trump administration was violating the First Amendment and overstepping its authority under the Civil Rights Act, threatening the autonomy of the private institution.

In response, the U.S. Department of Education reported the funding freeze, asserting that ongoing violations in the educational process are unacceptable. 

Quote: "The violations in the educational process affecting campuses in recent years are intolerable. Harassment of Jewish students is unacceptable. Elite universities must take this issue seriously and commit to substantial changes if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support".

Also read: Women, disability, and the climate crisis: Trump administration limited the use of nearly two hundred words

Background: 

• On March 10, Harvard temporarily suspended hiring of faculty and staff due to "financial uncertainty" caused by increased scrutiny from the Trump administration.
• The university stated that the temporary freeze aims to "maintain financial flexibility" until the nature of changes in federal policy and their impact on the institution become clear.
• On March 31, media reported that the Trump administration initiated measures to combat antisemitism at Harvard, which could lead to a freeze of federal funding for the institution amounting to $9 billion.
• At the end of March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling his long-standing promise to dismantle this government agency, which he claimed promotes "leftist" ideology.