US appeals court weighs Trump's block on Harvard research funding

Key facts

• The Trump administration is asking an appeals court to revive its effort to terminate over $2 billion in grants to Harvard University.
• The administration claims Harvard has demonstrated deliberate indifference to antisemitic conduct.
• Harvard argues the funding freeze is retaliation for speech protected by the First Amendment.
• A US District Judge previously ruled against the administration's actions.
• The Justice Department has appealed that ruling to the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals.

The US appeals court will hear arguments on Monday regarding the Trump administration's attempt to revive its effort to terminate over $2 billion in grants awarded to Harvard University. The administration contends that Harvard has shown deliberate indifference to antisemitic conduct and discrimination on campus, justifying the funding freeze. Harvard, however, argues that the funding freeze is retaliation for speech protected by the First Amendment and that the administration is using "antisemitism as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically-motivated assault on this country’s premier universities."

US President Donald Trump has pursued a broad campaign against elite universities, which he has described as "gripped by 'radical left' ideologies." His administration has employed various tactics, including civil rights investigations and accreditation threats. Harvard has been a significant target, fighting back in court and securing several victories. In April 2025, the administration presented Harvard with 10 demands, including ending diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and appointing third-party auditors for viewpoint diversity. Harvard President Alan Garber rejected these demands, stating that government should not dictate university curricula or hiring.

Within hours of Garber's statement, the administration announced it was freezing federal grants due to alleged failure to address harassment of Jewish students during campus protests related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, ultimately terminating about $2.2 billion in grants. Harvard filed a lawsuit to block this action. US District Judge Allison Burroughs had previously ruled against the administration, a decision that the Justice Department has appealed to the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals.