Harvard Takes a Stand Against the Trump Administration! $30 Billion in Research Funds Frozen, 150 Prestigious Universities Protest

**Core of the Event:**

Harvard University recently sued the Trump administration, protesting its sudden freezing of over $3 billion in federal research funding as an "illegal act". The university argues that this decision will "severely threaten the global position of American research and higher education" and is joined by over 150 universities (including Yale, MIT, etc.) in opposing government interference with academic freedom.

**Controversial Focus:**

1. Uncertainty Over Fund Freezing

The U.S. government has suspended research funding to Harvard and four other top universities on the grounds of "improper handling of anti-Semitism issues" (these schools received a total of $1.7 billion from NIH in 2023). Internal emails show that the freeze order did not provide specific explanations.

2. Academic Autonomy Dispute

Harvard has refused to accept the government's requests for campus control, with President Bacow emphasizing that "we will not trade constitutional rights for funding." In contrast, Columbia University has chosen to compromise and reform.

3. Chain Reaction

- Cornell University confirms that researchers have received a federal "stop work order"

- The government simultaneously tightens policies for international students, with hundreds of student visas for those protesting in support of Palestine being revoked

- Multiple universities initiate legal countermeasures, with alumni donations surging

**Harvard's Confidence:**

With a $53 billion endowment, the highest among U.S. universities, Harvard has strong short-term resilience, but has begun issuing bonds and freezing hiring. The university has committed to releasing a report on anti-Semitism and anti-discrimination rectifications.

**Deep Impact:**

This conflict reflects the power struggle between the federal government and top academic institutions over academic freedom and political stance, potentially reshaping the allocation of American research funding. As the election approaches, the politicalization of the event is becoming increasingly evident.