Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Appeals Court Weighs Trump’s Effort to Cut Harvard Funding
The U.S. government ended about $2.2 billion in research grants to Harvard.
The government said Harvard had not done enough about harassment of Jewish students.
Harvard said the funding cuts were punishment for its speech and decisions.
A judge ruled that the government could not cut the grants this way.
The government is asking an appeals court to change that ruling.
The judges will hear arguments in Boston.
The case is part of a larger dispute over government demands on universities.
Another court hearing about international students is scheduled for Tuesday.
The Trump administration is asking the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to revive its termination of about $2.2 billion in Harvard grants.
The court hearing is scheduled for Monday at 9:30 a.m. ET in Boston; the report is dated October 5.
Harvard sued, arguing the funding freeze retaliated against speech protected by the First Amendment.
The administration says it need not fund universities it considers deliberately indifferent to antisemitism and discrimination.
A district judge ruled against the administration, while a separate appeal concerning Harvard’s international students is scheduled for Tuesday.
- Who
- The Trump administration and Harvard University.
- What
- The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is reviewing the administration’s effort to terminate about $2.2 billion in Harvard grants.
- When
- The oral argument is scheduled for Monday at 9:30 a.m. ET; the report is dated October 5.
- Where
- The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.
- Why
- The administration says Harvard failed to address antisemitic conduct and discrimination; Harvard says the funding freeze was retaliation for constitutionally protected speech.
Harvard’s position
Administration’s position
Federal grant termination
Harvard’s position
Harvard says the funding freeze was retaliation for speech protected by the First Amendment.
Administration’s position
The administration says it is not required to continue funding universities it considers deliberately indifferent to antisemitic conduct and discrimination.
Government demands on universities
Harvard’s position
Harvard President Alan Garber said the government should not dictate what private universities teach, whom they admit or hire, or what they study.
Administration’s position
The administration sent Harvard 10 demands, including ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs and appointing third-party auditors to monitor viewpoint diversity.
- Funding at issue
- About $2.2 billion in federal grants
- Court
- 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals
- Hearing time
- Monday at 9:30 a.m. ET (1330 GMT)
- Harvard’s lawsuit
- Challenges the funding freeze as retaliation for First Amendment-protected speech
- Administration’s stated basis
- Alleged failure to address harassment of Jewish students and discrimination on campus
- Earlier ruling
- U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs ruled against the administration’s grant termination
- Separate appeal
- The appeals court is scheduled to review a ruling on Harvard hosting international students on Tuesday