Trump Administration Threatens Harvard With New Sanctions

Harvard University now faces intensified financial scrutiny under the Trump administration.

Harvard's financial operations are under increased examination since President Trump returned to office.

Washington:

On Friday, the Trump administration intensified its confrontation with Harvard University by imposing additional financial oversight on the prestigious institution and threatening penalties if it fails to supply further information regarding its admissions procedures.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced that Harvard would be placed under "heightened cash monitoring," requiring the university to utilize its own funds for student financial aid disbursements before seeking government reimbursement.

McMahon also warned of "further enforcement action" if the institution does not submit documentation proving it has ceased considering race in its admissions process.

Harvard did not issue a response when contacted for comment.

These measures are components of the administration's broader campaign against Harvard as President Donald Trump aims to eliminate what he characterizes as liberal prejudice throughout American higher education institutions. Since beginning his term, Trump has employed the Education Department in unprecedented ways, reducing federal research grants for institutions that refuse to comply with his administration's requirements and pressing colleges to make substantial financial settlements to conclude federal investigations.

The Trump administration suspended $2.6 billion in federal research funding to Harvard after the university rejected administrative demands for comprehensive changes to its governance and student disciplinary policies.

In a lawsuit filed by Harvard, a federal judge this month directed the government to reinstate the funding, stating that the administration had engaged in "a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this country's premier universities." On Friday, the Department of Health and Human Services unfroze $46 million in research funding for Harvard, according to university officials.

The Education Department is also investigating Harvard's admission practices as part of a wider initiative to require universities to demonstrate they are not using racial criteria to evaluate applicants. The department claims Harvard has not fulfilled all its requests for information about applicants and admitted students.

A group of students initiated legal action against Harvard in 2014, alleging that its admissions policies unfairly disadvantaged white and Asian students. The Supreme Court resolved the case in 2023, prohibiting consideration of race in college admissions processes.

Harvard's financial status is also receiving renewed scrutiny. McMahon expressed concerns about the institution's financial health due to the threats to its federal funding. Harvard possesses a $53 billion endowment, the largest of any university in the nation.