Federal Judge Casts Doubt on Government’s Rationale in Harvard Funding Freeze Lawsuit
Federal Judge Casts Doubt on Government’s Rationale in Harvard Funding Freeze Lawsuit
BOSTON – A federal judge yesterday expressed significant skepticism regarding the Trump administration’s justification for freezing nearly $3 billion in research funding allocated to Harvard University. During high-stakes oral arguments on Monday, U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs pressed Department of Justice lawyers to clarify the link between steep funding cuts and the White House’s stated goal of combating antisemitism within the university.
Judge Burroughs pointedly questioned the government’s attorney, Michael K. Velchik, stating, “They’re not funding speech, they’re funding research. And you’re tying that research to speech.” The nearly three-hour hearing saw University lawyers, including Steven P. Lehotsky, condemn the funding freeze as a “blatant, unrepentant violation of the First Amendment,” arguing it infringes on Harvard’s free speech rights.
Velchik, representing the government, defended the cuts as a legitimate response to antisemitic incidents at Harvard, citing pro-Palestine protests and vandalism. However, Burroughs repeatedly challenged the rationale, asking how pulling research funding directly addresses antisemitism, and suggesting the government’s actions were “very antithetical” to upholding American values.
The judge did not issue a ruling on Monday but indicated a swift decision would follow in a case that could profoundly impact Harvard’s extensive research enterprise. Following the hearing, President Trump took to social media to criticize Judge Burroughs, vowing to appeal if she rules in Harvard’s favor. This legal battle is the latest development in a months-long confrontation that began with a “comprehensive review” of federal funds and escalated to a multi-billion dollar funding freeze after Harvard rejected the administration’s demands for changes to its operations and academic practices.
Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.