Trump's week in review: Tariffs impact stocks; USDA freezes Maine funding; military fitness questioned
2. Departments reviewing grants to Harvard over antisemitism concerns
In a statement published Monday, the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services, as well as the U.S. General Services Administration, announced “a comprehensive review of federal contracts and grants at Harvard University and its affiliates” as part of “the ongoing efforts of the Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism” established on March 3.
The review will probe $255.6 million in contracts between the Ivy League school, its affiliates and the federal government, as well as $8.7 billion in “multi-year grant commitments” to the school and its affiliates in an effort to ensure that “the university is in compliance with federal regulations, including its civil rights responsibilities.”
The investigation comes after Harvard received national attention after antisemitic incidents broke out on campus following the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attacks in Israel.
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“Harvard has served as a symbol of the American Dream for generations — the pinnacle aspiration for students all over the world to work hard and earn admission to the storied institution,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Harvard’s failure to protect students on campus from anti-Semitic discrimination — all while promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry — has put its reputation in serious jeopardy.”
McMahon called on Harvard to “right these wrongs and restore itself to a campus dedicated to academic excellence and truth-seeking, where all students feel safe on its campus.”
Trump issued an executive order shortly after taking office titled “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism.” Last month, the administration announced its intention to cancel $400 million in grants to Columbia University over its handling of antisemitic protests on campus following a similar investigation.
The General Services Administration reported that Columbia responded to the development by vowing to take several actions to assuage the administration’s concerns in an effort to “restore canceled grants and contracts.”
Ryan Foley is a reporter for The Christian Post. He can be reached at: ryan.foley@christianpost.com
