Additional Coverage:
- Harvard under fire as DHS secretary cuts $2.7M in grants, demands visa records: ‘America demands more’ (foxnews.com)
DHS Secretary Pulls $2.7 Million in Grants from Harvard, Citing “Anti-American Ideology”
In a decisive move, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem revoked $2.7 million in grants awarded to Harvard University. Secretary Noem declared the prestigious university “unfit to be entrusted with taxpayer dollars,” citing concerns about what she termed “anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology” on campus.
The canceled grants were earmarked for “Implementation Science for Targeted Violence Prevention” and “Blue Campaign Program Evaluation and Violence Advisement.” Noem’s office criticized the former for allegedly classifying conservatives as extremists and the latter for promoting what it described as ideologically biased public health messaging.
This action follows President Trump’s call to freeze $2.2 billion in federal funds to Harvard and his request for the IRS to review the university’s tax-exempt status. Sources within the Department of Justice confirm the IRS is currently reviewing Harvard’s 501(c)(3) designation.
Harvard responded, arguing that revoking its tax-exempt status lacks legal basis and would severely impact its educational mission, including financial aid, medical research, and technological advancements. The university maintains that the government has traditionally exempted universities from taxes to support their educational endeavors.
President Trump, in a social media post, criticized Harvard’s leadership and faculty, accusing them of promoting “Hate and Stupidity.” He reiterated his stance that the university should not receive federal funding.
The DHS action is part of a larger federal effort to address campus antisemitism following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel. Harvard has faced criticism for alleged antisemitic rhetoric and protests involving students and faculty.
Secretary Noem’s letter specifically mentioned “foreign visa-holding rioters” and demanded documentation of their conduct from the university. Harvard has been given until April 30 to comply or risk jeopardizing its certification to enroll international students.
With a substantial $53.2 billion endowment, DHS contends that Harvard has the financial capacity to fund its programs without relying on taxpayer money, particularly if it fails to meet federal standards for student conduct and institutional accountability.
The Department of Education is also scrutinizing Harvard. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon recently initiated a review of over $255.6 million in federal contracts and nearly $9 billion in grants connected to the university and its affiliates. McMahon expressed concerns about Harvard’s alleged failure to protect students from anti-Semitic discrimination and its promotion of “divisive ideologies over free inquiry.”
This action against Harvard follows similar measures taken against Columbia University as the federal government intensifies its scrutiny of institutions it believes are not fulfilling their civil rights and national security obligations.