Education Secretary Blasts Harvard, Threatens Federal Funding Cuts
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has issued a scathing condemnation of Harvard University’s handling of antisemitism on campus, along with a wide range of other concerns, signaling a potential end to federal grants for the prestigious institution. In a strongly worded letter to Harvard President Alan Garber, McMahon accused the university of violating federal law, misusing taxpayer funds, and fostering an environment that undermines American values.
McMahon’s letter, released on Monday, asserted that the federal government has a "sacred responsibility" to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly. She pointed out that Harvard, with its $53.2 billion endowment and significant annual intake of taxpayer funds, should be held to a high standard of accountability. Receiving these funds, she emphasized, is a "privilege, not a right."
The Secretary alleged that Harvard has engaged in a "systemic pattern" of violating federal law, failing to use its resources to advance student education effectively. She raised pointed questions about the origins and backgrounds of some students, questioning their motives and the reasons behind what she described as "so much HATE" on campus. McMahon demanded transparency, asking why Harvard has failed to provide straightforward answers to the American public regarding these issues.
Furthermore, McMahon accused Harvard of undermining the U.S. higher education system by inviting foreign students who exhibit "violent behavior" and "contempt for the U.S." She also criticized the university’s adoption of a "remedial math program" for undergraduates, questioning the need for such a program at a school renowned for its selective admissions process.
The letter also addressed plagiarism scandals and allegations of "ugly racism" within Harvard University and the Harvard Law Review. McMahon singled out the hiring of former Mayors Bill de Blasio of New York City and Lori Lightfoot of Chicago to teach "leadership" at Harvard’s School of Public Health, comparing it to "hiring the captain of the Titanic to teach navigation to future captains of the sea."
Citing Ivy League suicides and Princeton’s recent student deaths, McMahon suggested a crisis at elite schools, indicating the aforementioned accusations only scratches the surface of Harvard’s consistent violations of its legal duties.
Given these concerns, McMahon declared that Harvard should no longer seek federal grants, as "none will be provided." She suggested that the university should transition to a privately funded institution, relying on its vast endowment and wealthy alumni base. The Secretary concluded that Harvard’s success had been made possible by the prosperity of the United States and its free-market system, which she claims the university teaches its students to despise.
McMahon referenced the Trump administration’s previous willingness to maintain federal funding as long as Harvard complied with federal law, protected student welfare, and ceased racial preferencing. She reiterated the administration’s commitment to "common-sense reforms," including merit-based admissions and hiring, an end to programs promoting crude identity stereotypes, disciplinary reform, cooperation with law enforcement, and reporting compliance with federal agencies.
Harvard confirmed receipt of McMahon’s letter and issued a statement accusing the administration of doubling down on demands that would impose "unprecedented and improper control" over the university, with "chilling implications for higher education." The university argued that the letter contained "new threats to illegally withhold funding for lifesaving research and innovation" in retaliation for Harvard’s lawsuit filed on April 21.
Harvard vowed to continue complying with the law, promoting viewpoint diversity, combating antisemitism, and defending against "illegal government overreach aimed at stifling research and innovation."
President Donald Trump has also weighed in on the matter, branding Harvard "antisemitic" and a "threat to democracy" during the ongoing funding battle. Trump indicated his administration was considering revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status, citing the university’s failure to address antisemitism as grounds for such action.
Trump has previously accused Harvard of hiring "woke, Radical Left, idiots" who are "only capable of teaching FAILURE." He pointed to the plagiarism scandal involving a recent Harvard president as an example of the university’s decline. Trump’s broader crackdown on universities stems from anti-Israel unrest on campuses last year.
The Trump administration had previously sent a letter to Harvard outlining the institution’s failures and demanding reforms in governance, leadership, hiring, and admissions practices by August 2025. The letter specifically targeted Harvard’s international admissions process, demanding changes to avoid admitting students "hostile" to American values or supportive of terrorism or antisemitism.
Harvard refused to comply with these demands, with President Garber asserting that "no government… should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and areas of study and inquiry they can pursue." The Trump administration subsequently froze $2.2 billion in funding to Harvard and is reportedly considering slashing another billion. Harvard has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the freezing of funds calling it an "unlawful" action.
The escalating conflict between the Trump administration and Harvard University raises fundamental questions about academic freedom, government oversight, and the role of universities in American society. The outcome of this battle could have significant implications for the future of higher education in the United States.
