Trump calls for ‘total break’ with Harvard, orders federal agencies to cut all ties

The Trump administration has intensified its dispute with Harvard University, instructing all federal agencies to cut off their connections with the school. This order, sent through the General Services Administration (GSA), requires the cancellation of roughly $100 million in current contracts spread across nine federal departments.

The decision, first reported by The Guardian, marks a major escalation in the administration’s continued efforts against Harvard, including accusations of unfair treatment in admissions and a failure to fully cooperate with federal demands.

The administration has given several reasons for this extreme step, according to Fox. A key part of its argument is the claim that Harvard has engaged in racial discrimination in its admissions process and other areas of student life. The GSA letter, signed by Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, specifically references the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that barred colleges from considering race in admissions, stating that Harvard has not followed this decision.

Trump calls on other agencies to pull funding from Harvard

The administration also claims that Harvard has displayed a “troubling lack of concern for the safety and well-being of Jewish students,” though it does not provide details about specific incidents. This order is the harshest measure taken against Harvard so far since Harvard refused to yield.

The administration froze around $3.2 billion in research funding and tried to stop the university from admitting international students, though federal courts temporarily halted these actions. Harvard has fought back strongly, filing multiple lawsuits arguing that the administration’s moves violate constitutional protections for academic freedom and are unlawful. The university’s president, Alan Garber, has publicly criticized the administration’s demands, calling them illegal attempts to influence hiring and curriculum decisions.

Some of the contracts set to be canceled include a $527,000 agreement for Harvard ManageMentor Licenses, a $523,000 contract for energy drink research, and a $39,000 contract for graduate student research services. Federal agencies are expected to submit their plans for ending these contracts by early June.

The administration’s actions against Harvard are not just about alleged discrimination. The conflict also involves repeated requests for information about student activities and protests, including demands for audio and video recordings related to threats, “violations of rights,” and “dangerous or violent behavior” by students who are not U.S. citizens.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under Secretary Kristi Noem, took away Harvard’s certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program after deciding the university’s response was inadequate, though a court order has temporarily stopped this move. A hearing will soon decide whether this temporary block should continue. The administration has also suggested redirecting Harvard’s federal funding toward vocational schools, which could amount to billions of dollars.