Trump Task Force investigates $8.7 billion in funding for Harvard after Columbia succumbs to federal demands

Harvard University has become the latest target for the Trump administration’s approachFighting anti-Semitism on campusWith the announcement of a new “comprehensive review” that could put billions of dollars at Ivy League College.

The Federal Anti-Semitism Task Force is reviewing more than $255 million in contracts between Harvard and the federal government to ensure schools are in compliance with civil rights laws, the administration announced Monday. The government will also look at $8.7 billion in grant commitments to Harvard University and its affiliates.

Same task forceReduced $400 million from Columbia UniversityHe threatened to cut billions more if he rejected a list of requests from President Donald Trump’s administration. Colombia agreed to many changes this month, drawing praise from several Jewish groups and criticism from free speech groups.A spectacular intrusionBy the federal government.

Dozens of universities have been notified by the Trump administration that they could face similar treatment with anti-Semitism allegations. The federal government is the leading provider of income for American universitiesGrants for scientific research.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Harvard, who symbolizes America’s dream, puts its reputation at risk by “promoting divisive ideology over free investigation” and failing to protect students from anti-Semitism.

“Harvard can correct these mistakes and return them to a campus dedicated to seeking academic excellence and truth, where all students feel safe on campus,” McMahon said in a statement.

Harvard did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. Elite universities are one of more than 100 universities and school systems facing anti-Semitism or Islamophobia investigations following the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The Trump administration promises to act harsher than its predecessors, and has made anti-Semitism more difficult.Civil Rights Survey Top Priorities.

The announcement on Monday did not say whether the government made any specific requests for Harvard. The Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the U.S. Department of General Services are leading contract and grant reviews.

The agencies will decide whether to issue an order to halt work for certain contracts between Harvard University and the federal government, the government said. The task force also orders Harvard University to submit a list of all contracts with the federal government directly with the school or directly through its affiliates.

“The Task Force will continue its efforts to eradicate anti-Semitism and refocus on higher learning institutions on core values ​​that support liberal education,” said Sean Kenney, acting advisory advisor to Health and Human Services. “We are delighted that Harvard is happy to be involved in these goals.”

Some of the country’s most prestigious universities face extraordinary scrutiny from Republicans in Congress following a wave of pro-Palestinian protests that began in Colombia last year and spread throughout the country. The presidents of several Ivy League schools have been called before Congress on allegations that anti-Semitism allowed Fester.

Public hearings at Capitol HillHelped the president resignationHarvard,Columbiaandpen. Katrina Armstrong’s interim president took over in Colombia;I resigned last weekAfter the school agreed to the government’s request.

Trump and other officials have accused the protesters of being “prohama.” Student activists say they oppose Israeli’sMilitary activities in Gaza.

Instead of going through a lengthy process in which the education sector can cut funding from schools that violate civil rights laws, the Trump administration has found rapid leverage by drawing contracts and grants. The tactic has been challenged in a federal lawsuit brought by the American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of Teachers.

This story was originally introduced Fortune.com