A United States judge has ordered the Donald Trump administration to overturn deep funding cuts to Harvard University that froze more than $2 billion over allegations of antisemitism and bias at the Ivy League institution.
The judge, Allison Burroughs, gave the order on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
The Trump administration, which vowed to appeal, insisted its move was legally justified over Harvard’s alleged failure to protect Jewish and Israeli students amid campus protests against Israel’s war in Gaza.
Harvard denied those claims, saying Trump was instead focused on controlling the prestigious school’s hiring, admissions, and curriculum.
The cuts to Harvard’s funding stream forced it to implement a hiring freeze while pausing ambitious research programs, particularly in the public health and medical spheres – pauses experts warned put American lives at risk.
The ruling could shape talks on a settlement reportedly underway between Harvard and the White House under which the university would pay a sum acknowledging Trump’s claims, with federal funding restored in return.
Other universities have struck similar deals with the administration.
The judge said: “The Court vacates and sets aside the Freeze Orders and Termination Letters as violative of the First Amendment.
Trump accuses Harvard University of anti-Semitism, threatens more cuts
“All freezes and terminations of funding to Harvard made pursuant to the Freeze Orders and Termination Letters on or after April 14, 2025, are vacated and set aside.”
The ruling also bars the administration from using the same reasoning to cut funding in the future.
Albany Law School Professor Ray Brescia told AFP that despite the overwhelming legal victory on Wednesday, Harvard may still follow the example of Columbia University and settle with the administration.
He said: “Trump could go back to the negotiating table and offer Harvard a better deal than they have been offering. I think that there has been some talk about a $500 million settlement.
“People settle cases all the time for lots of reasons, even if they think they are 100 percent right.”
Harvard president Alan Garber said that “even as we acknowledge the important principles affirmed in today’s ruling, we will continue to assess the implications of the opinion.”
The ruling “validates our arguments in defense of the University’s academic freedom,” he added.
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