Harvard and 24 States Sue Trump Administration Over $9 Billion in Education Funding Cuts

July 21, 2025 – Harvard University and a coalition of 24 states, including Washington, D.C., have filed federal lawsuits against the Trump administration for withholding over $9 billion in education funding. These legal actions highlight growing tensions between the administration and academic institutions, with significant consequences for research, students, and public education programs across the U.S.

Harvard’s Lawsuit: $2.2 Billion in Frozen Grants
Harvard University initiated a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, challenging the freeze of over $2.2 billion in federal grants and contracts. The university claims the cuts, enacted after Harvard rejected demands to change its admissions, hiring, and curriculum policies, violate the First Amendment and federal procedures. The administration’s actions are viewed as retaliation for Harvard’s refusal to comply with demands targeting alleged antisemitism and promoting “viewpoint diversity” on campus.

Harvard President Alan Garber stated, “The consequences of the government’s overreach will be severe and long-lasting,” emphasizing the impact on critical research in areas like cancer, infectious diseases, and battlefield injuries. The lawsuit argues the freeze is “arbitrary and capricious,” lacking a rational basis. According to NPR, these cuts threaten Harvard’s global leadership in innovation.

24 States and D.C. Sue Over $7 Billion in Education Funds
In a separate lawsuit filed in Rhode Island’s U.S. District Court, 24 states and Washington, D.C., are suing over the withholding of nearly $7 billion in federal education funds. These funds support after-school programs, teacher training, English-language learning, and services for migrant children. The lawsuit accuses the administration of violating the U.S. Constitution and the Impoundment Control Act by overriding Congress’s spending authority.

New York Attorney General Letitia James said, “Congress allocated these funds, and the law requires they be delivered.” The freeze, announced on June 30, 2025, impacts programs serving 1.4 million students, particularly low-income and migrant children. The New York Times reports that the cuts threaten layoffs and program closures, disrupting school districts nationwide.

Supreme Court’s Role and Department of Education Layoffs
The lawsuits follow a Supreme Court ruling on July 15, 2025, allowing the Trump administration to implement mass layoffs at the Department of Education without congressional approval. Criticized by Justice Sonia Sotomayor as a threat to the separation of powers, the decision has fueled the administration’s efforts to reduce federal education oversight. NBC News reports that the ruling raises concerns about the administration’s broader agenda to dismantle federal education programs.

Implications for Academic Freedom and Public Education
Harvard’s lawsuit underscores concerns about academic freedom, arguing that the administration’s actions aim to control academic decision-making. The state lawsuit highlights the impact on students, teachers, and communities, with programs for low-income and migrant students at risk. Legal experts, cited by The Nation, suggest Harvard has a strong case, but court delays could prolong the funding crisis.

As these lawsuits unfold, the nation awaits clarity on whether the courts will uphold academic independence and congressional authority or allow the administration’s funding freezes to reshape education. Stay updated with Click USA News.

Published by Click USA News on July 21, 2025
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