A federal probe into Harvard University's overseas funding sources intensifies as President Donald Trump and House Republicans increase pressure on the prestigious institution.
According to Just The News, the U.S. Department of Education launched an investigation into Harvard's foreign donations while the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding to the university.
The Education Department's probe comes amid growing concerns about Harvard's transparency regarding international funding sources and its handling of various campus issues, including antisemitism and diversity programs.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon emphasized the university's obligation to maintain transparency about its relationships with foreign entities. The administration expressed particular concern about potential manipulation by actors deemed hostile to American interests.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, led by Chairman James Comer and Rep. Elise Stefanik, has initiated their own investigation into the university's compliance with civil rights laws.
The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, terminated two grants worth $2.7 million, citing Harvard as "unfit to be entrusted with taxpayers' dollars."
President Trump took to Truth Social to challenge Harvard's tax status, suggesting potential reclassification as a political entity. His administration's demands include eliminating DEI programs and addressing antisemitism concerns.
Trump's statement on Truth Social reflected his strong stance:
Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting "Sickness?" Remember, Tax Exempt Status is totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST!
The university received approximately $686 million in federal funding during the 2024 fiscal year alone, according to the House Oversight Committee.
Harvard President Alan Garber defended the institution's autonomy against government interference. He emphasized the importance of academic freedom in higher education.
Garber's response highlighted concerns about government overreach: "No government - regardless of which party is in power - should dictate what private universities can teach."
Critics have questioned the administration's push for "viewpoint diversity" at universities, viewing it as potential interference in academic independence.
The ongoing crisis at Harvard reflects broader tensions between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions. The investigations target both financial transparency and ideological concerns. The university faces unprecedented scrutiny over its international funding sources, with federal authorities demanding complete disclosure of foreign donations and relationships. Multiple government agencies continue to apply pressure through various means, from congressional investigations to funding cuts, signaling a coordinated effort to reform Harvard's policies and practices.
