McMahon tells Harvard it will lose future federal research grants
Education Secretary Linda McMahon notified Harvard that it will no longer qualify for new federal research grants, citing mismanagement and campus antisemitism, sparking a dispute with the university.
Key points
- McMahon sent a three‑page letter to Harvard President Alan Garber announcing the university will not receive new federal research grants.
- The letter cites antisemitism, race‑based admissions, and hiring of former mayors as reasons for the decision.
- Harvard called the action unprecedented political interference and warned it could harm research and academic freedom.
- The move follows a freeze on nearly $2 billion in federal funding for elite universities.
- The outcome for Harvard and other institutions remains uncertain.
In a dramatic move, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has informed Harvard University that it will no longer be eligible for new federal research grants, escalating a high-profile clash between the Trump administration and one of America’s most prestigious academic institutions
The announcement came via a sharply worded three-page letter sent Monday to Harvard President Alan Garber. McMahon accused the university of “disastrous mismanagement,” citing incidents of antisemitism on campus, alleged race-based admissions practices, and what she called a betrayal of core academic values She also criticized Harvard for hiring former mayors Bill de Blasio and Lori Lightfoot to teach leadership, likening it to “hiring the captain of the Titanic to teach navigation”
McMahon’s letter follows recent freezes on nearly $2. billion in federal funding and comes amid broader scrutiny of elite universities’ policies and leadership. The administration’s new approach aims to block future grants rather than recall existing ones, a strategy that may be harder to challenge in court
Harvard has condemned the move as “unprecedented and improper political interference,” warning it could have severe consequences for research and academic freedom. As the standoff intensifies, the fate of federal funding for Harvard-and potentially other universities-remains uncertain
Your questions, answered
Why did Linda McMahon say Harvard would lose federal research grants?
She cited antisemitism on campus, alleged race‑based admissions practices, and the hiring of former mayors as reasons for the decision.
What did Harvard say about the letter?
Harvard called the letter unprecedented political interference and warned it could harm research and academic freedom.
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