Harvard University refuses Trump demands, sues federal government

Harvard University became one of the first universities to publicly reject President Trump's demands and fight back in federal court. When the administration demanded Harvard eliminate DEI programs, restructure governance, and pay $200 million to the Treasury, President Alan Garber refused, saying Harvard would not surrender its independence. The administration froze over $2 billion in grants and contracts. A federal judge ruled the funding freeze illegal. Yale University honored Garber as "American higher education's most consequential defender of academic freedom." In February 2026, Trump dropped the $200 million demand, then hours later threatened to seek $1 billion and pursue criminal charges.