The Trump administration has escalated its scrutiny of Harvard University over alleged antisemitism, culminating in a series of stringent policy demands and threats to cut billions in federal funding. This intensified after protests at Harvard following the October 2023 attack on Israel by Hamas, with the former president of Harvard failing to adequately address a controversial statement about genocide, leading to her resignation. In response to the mounting pressure, Harvard launched initiatives to tackle antisemitism but refused to comply with the administration's broad demands, including changes in admissions and hiring practices and the cessation of DEI programs. This refusal prompted Harvard to sue the administration, claiming violations of federal procedures and the First Amendment. As the legal battle unfolds, the administration continues to pressure Harvard with potential funding freezes and the threat of rescinding its tax-exempt status, while the university argues these actions threaten academic freedom and research.

President Trump, upon returning to office, initiated a campaign targeting elite universities like Harvard for alleged antisemitism, following protests related to the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and subsequent events on campus.

Harvard's then-president, Claudine Gay, faced backlash for her response to a congressional question about antisemitism, leading to her resignation amid accusations that the university was not addressing antisemitism seriously enough.

The Trump administration demanded extensive changes at Harvard, including halting DEI programs and altering admission and hiring practices, and threatened to revoke billions in federal funding if the university did not comply.

Harvard has taken measures to address antisemitism, such as forming a task force and altering protest policies, but it has resisted the administration's broader demands, arguing that they infringe on academic freedom and independence.

The university's refusal to comply led to a lawsuit against the administration, with Harvard asserting that the demands violate federal procedures and the First Amendment, while the administration considers the situation part of ongoing negotiations.

The administration's actions have included freezing federal grants, threatening to remove Harvard's tax-exempt status, and considering revoking its participation in the Student and Exchange Visa Program, which Harvard argues endangers its academic pursuits.

The legal proceedings are set to begin in late April, with Harvard seeking to expedite its challenge to the funding freeze, highlighting the potential impact on its research and academic operations.