Trump punishes elite colleges with funding freeze: Harvard resists, Columbia complies; Here's how other Ivy Leagues are splitting
The Trump administration insists its demands aim to combat antisemitism and what it calls “illegal and immoral discrimination” on campus. Critics argue the freeze is politically motivated and may not survive legal scrutiny
- Apr 16, 2025,
- Updated Apr 16, 2025 10:25 AM IST
A standoff is escalating between the Trump administration and some of the most powerful academic institutions in the US, as the White House pushes for sweeping campus reforms—and backs its demands with billions in frozen federal funding.
Harvard University has emerged as ground zero in this battle, with over $2 billion in grants and contracts frozen after refusing to comply with Trump's sweeping conditions. The administration wants universities to eliminate DEI programs, ban face coverings during protests, switch to merit-based hiring and admissions, and scale back what it calls “activist” faculty and administration structures.
The Trump administration insists its demands aim to combat antisemitism and what it calls “illegal and immoral discrimination” on campus. Critics argue the freeze is politically motivated and may not survive legal scrutiny.
Cornell University and Northwestern University also found themselves in the crosshairs last week, with more than $1.7 billion in total federal funding frozen. According to a White House official, the action is tied to “credible and concerning” Title VI investigations related to discrimination.
Cornell received over 75 stop-work orders and said it learned of the freeze only through media reports.
“We are actively seeking information from federal officials to learn more about the basis for these decisions,” Cornell University statement
Northwestern, which also had $790 million frozen, emphasized the stakes:
“Federal funds that Northwestern receives drive innovative and life-saving research... This type of research is now at jeopardy,” noted Northwestern University in a statement.
A standoff is escalating between the Trump administration and some of the most powerful academic institutions in the US, as the White House pushes for sweeping campus reforms—and backs its demands with billions in frozen federal funding.
Harvard University has emerged as ground zero in this battle, with over $2 billion in grants and contracts frozen after refusing to comply with Trump's sweeping conditions. The administration wants universities to eliminate DEI programs, ban face coverings during protests, switch to merit-based hiring and admissions, and scale back what it calls “activist” faculty and administration structures.
The Trump administration insists its demands aim to combat antisemitism and what it calls “illegal and immoral discrimination” on campus. Critics argue the freeze is politically motivated and may not survive legal scrutiny.
Cornell University and Northwestern University also found themselves in the crosshairs last week, with more than $1.7 billion in total federal funding frozen. According to a White House official, the action is tied to “credible and concerning” Title VI investigations related to discrimination.
Cornell received over 75 stop-work orders and said it learned of the freeze only through media reports.
“We are actively seeking information from federal officials to learn more about the basis for these decisions,” Cornell University statement
Northwestern, which also had $790 million frozen, emphasized the stakes:
“Federal funds that Northwestern receives drive innovative and life-saving research... This type of research is now at jeopardy,” noted Northwestern University in a statement.