US education secretary Linda McMahon , appointed earlier this year as part of President Donald Trump’s revamped cabinet, has escalated the White House’s ongoing clash with Harvard University by announcing that the federal government will no longer approve new research grants to the prestigious institution.
On Monday, McMahon sent a three- page letter to Harvard president Alan Garber informing him of the same and citing reasons as antisemitic incidents on campus.
McMahon, a former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), has limited experience in the education sector but a long history in business and public service, having previously served on Connecticut’s State Board of Education.
"This letter is to inform you that Harvard should no longer seek grants from the federal government, since none will be provided," McMahon wrote in her letter. She accused the university of "disastrous mismanagement" and claimed that the institution had forsaken its fundamental academic principles.
The move comes after the Trump administration last month froze nearly $2.3 billion in federal funding to Harvard citing the university's failure to adequately address widespread anti-Semitism on campus.
"Harvard University has made a mockery of this country's higher education system. It has invited foreign students, who engage in violent behaviour and slur contempt for the United States of America, to its campus. In every way, Harvard has failed to abide by its legal obligations, its ethical and fiduciary duties, its transparency responsibilities, and any semblance of academic rigour. It had scrapped standardised testing requirements and a normalised grading system," she wrote.
“Where do many of these ‘students’ come from, who are they, and how do they get into Harvard, or even into our country – and why is there so much HATE?,” she added.
Harvard strikes back
Harvard was quick to respond, issuing a statement on its official website which accused the Trump administration of doubling down on political interference, warning that the move threatens to undermine critical scientific work and sets a dangerous precedent for higher education nationwide.
Also read: 'New threats': Harvard slams Trump administration over 'illegally withholding funding for lifesaving research'
“Today’s letter makes new threats to illegally withhold funding for lifesaving research and innovation in retaliation against Harvard for filing its lawsuit on April 2,” the university said. “Harvard will continue to comply with the law, promote and encourage respect for viewpoint diversity, and combat antisemitism in our community.”
Harvard has emerged as a key battleground in wider political debates surrounding campus speech, diversity programs, and how universities address antisemitism. Recently, the Trump administration has threatened to cut funding, revoke tax-exempt status, and limit foreign student admissions at institutions it claims exhibit ideological bias.
On Monday, McMahon sent a three- page letter to Harvard president Alan Garber informing him of the same and citing reasons as antisemitic incidents on campus.
McMahon, a former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), has limited experience in the education sector but a long history in business and public service, having previously served on Connecticut’s State Board of Education.
"This letter is to inform you that Harvard should no longer seek grants from the federal government, since none will be provided," McMahon wrote in her letter. She accused the university of "disastrous mismanagement" and claimed that the institution had forsaken its fundamental academic principles.
The move comes after the Trump administration last month froze nearly $2.3 billion in federal funding to Harvard citing the university's failure to adequately address widespread anti-Semitism on campus.
"Harvard University has made a mockery of this country's higher education system. It has invited foreign students, who engage in violent behaviour and slur contempt for the United States of America, to its campus. In every way, Harvard has failed to abide by its legal obligations, its ethical and fiduciary duties, its transparency responsibilities, and any semblance of academic rigour. It had scrapped standardised testing requirements and a normalised grading system," she wrote.
“Where do many of these ‘students’ come from, who are they, and how do they get into Harvard, or even into our country – and why is there so much HATE?,” she added.
Harvard strikes back
Harvard was quick to respond, issuing a statement on its official website which accused the Trump administration of doubling down on political interference, warning that the move threatens to undermine critical scientific work and sets a dangerous precedent for higher education nationwide.
Also read: 'New threats': Harvard slams Trump administration over 'illegally withholding funding for lifesaving research'
“Today’s letter makes new threats to illegally withhold funding for lifesaving research and innovation in retaliation against Harvard for filing its lawsuit on April 2,” the university said. “Harvard will continue to comply with the law, promote and encourage respect for viewpoint diversity, and combat antisemitism in our community.”
Harvard has emerged as a key battleground in wider political debates surrounding campus speech, diversity programs, and how universities address antisemitism. Recently, the Trump administration has threatened to cut funding, revoke tax-exempt status, and limit foreign student admissions at institutions it claims exhibit ideological bias.
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