The Trump administration's freeze on funding for Harvard University ruled unconstitutional by judge. | WPN World People News

On the 3rd, a U.S. federal court ruled that the Trump administration's decision to cut federal funding to Harvard University was unconstitutional, stating that the measure violated the First Amendment's protection of free speech. The ruling helps prevent major harm to academic research and academic freedom that could result from financial sanctions. However, the White House expressed dissatisfaction with the decision and announced plans to appeal.

Harvard University, one of the top institutions in the United States, has seen repeated protests on campus in support of Gaza and against Israel since the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war. Trump criticized Harvard for failing to adequately protect Jewish and Israeli students and for fostering antisemitism. He demanded changes to the university’s governance and admissions policies. After Harvard refused, the Trump administration ordered a freeze on the university’s large-scale federal funding. In April, Harvard filed a lawsuit seeking to unfreeze more than \$2 billion (approximately NT\$61.5 billion) in federal aid. On the 3rd, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in Boston ruled that, even if combating antisemitism is a legitimate goal, the administration’s pressure on Harvard to comply with government demands was unconstitutional and violated the First Amendment's guarantee of free speech.

White House spokesperson Liz Huston immediately issued a statement the same day, asserting that Harvard had tolerated discrimination and failed to adequately protect students from harassment, and therefore was not entitled to receive taxpayer funding. The U.S. government will file an appeal.