Trump Set To Cancel All Federal Funds Directed At Harvard University

The Trump administration plans to direct all federal agencies to explore options for terminating their contracts with Harvard University — estimated to be worth around $100 million — a senior administration official told NBC News on Tuesday.

The senior official stated that the General Services Administration (GSA) would “send a letter to federal agencies today, asking them to identify any contracts with Harvard, and whether they can be canceled or redirected elsewhere”.

The New York Times first reported the development.

The proposed funding cuts represent the latest escalation in the ongoing clash between the Trump administration and the nation’s oldest—and arguably most prestigious—university.

A copy of the letter obtained by NBC News directs federal agencies to submit a list of any contracts they have canceled with Harvard University to the GSA by June 6.

“Going forward, we also encourage your agency to seek alternative vendors for future services where you had previously considered Harvard,” reads the letter, signed by John Gruenbaum, the commissioner of the GSA’s Federal Acquisition Service.

Gruenbaum characterized the administration’s actions as a defense of civil rights, accusing Harvard of ignoring a Supreme Court decision that prohibits the use of race in admissions decisions. He also cited the university’s “continued inaction” in addressing the harassment of Jewish students.

A separate administration official confirmed to NBC News that approximately 30 contracts are currently under review.

These include, according to the official, a $39,000 agreement for graduate student research support, a $50,000 contract with the National Institutes of Health to study the effects of coffee consumption, and a $523,000 project focused on research into energy drinks.

A United States judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from revoking Harvard University’s ability to enrol foreign students.

In a complaint filed in Boston federal court earlier on Friday, Harvard called the revocation a “blatant violation” of the U.S. Constitution and other federal laws, and had an “immediate and devastating effect” on the university and more than 7,000 visa holders.