Trump Moves to Cancel $100M in Federal Contracts with Harvard/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Trump administration is moving to cancel $100 million in federal contracts with Harvard University. The action is part of broader retaliation after Harvard refused to comply with federal policy demands. Harvard has sued the administration and denounced the actions as attacks on its constitutional rights.
Trump Targets Harvard: Contract Cancellations Escalate Federal Clash Quick Looks
- $100 Million in Contracts: Administration seeks to cancel existing federal agreements with Harvard.
- Wider Campaign: Move comes after prior freezes on $2.65 billion in federal funding.
- Political Showdown: White House cites lack of “viewpoint diversity” and refusal to audit conduct records.
- Legal Pushback: Harvard has filed suit, calling the administration’s actions unconstitutional.
- Student Impact: Federal revocation of foreign student enrollment is under legal review.
Deep Look: Trump Administration Intensifies Pressure on Harvard, Moves to Cancel Federal Contracts
By Alayna Treene | CNN | Updated May 26, 2025
The Trump administration is preparing to cancel approximately $100 million in federal contracts with Harvard University, escalating an already volatile confrontation between the White House and one of the nation’s most prestigious academic institutions, according to senior administration officials.
The decision, which will be outlined in a letter sent Tuesday, is part of a broader push by the White House to penalize Harvard for resisting recent ideological and policy demands. The move follows $2.65 billion in previously frozen federal funding to the university and reflects growing tensions between the federal government and elite academic institutions.
White House Directive: Cut and Reassign Contracts
According to two senior officials, the General Services Administration (GSA) will instruct federal agencies to identify all contracts with Harvard and determine whether those contracts can be canceled or redirected to other vendors.
“We’re moving to hold Harvard accountable,” one official said, “and find partners that respect American values and government priorities.”
The New York Times first reported the planned cuts.
Harvard Pushes Back: “We Will Not Surrender Our Independence”
In a statement last month, Harvard President Alan Garber emphasized the university’s stance against what it views as ideological overreach.
“The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” Garber said, following the administration’s freeze of $2.2 billion in federal grants.
Harvard has since filed a federal lawsuit, arguing that the freeze, and subsequent administrative actions, constitute “retaliation” for the school’s refusal to meet political demands.
Demands That Sparked the Clash
Among the demands that Harvard has rejected:
- Turning over complete conduct records of all foreign students
- Opening up its operations to federal audits to ensure “viewpoint diversity”
- Implementing policies that align with what the administration calls “ideologically balanced” governance
The administration has positioned these demands as part of a campaign to “restore fairness and accountability” in higher education, particularly at institutions perceived as liberal strongholds.
Foreign Students at Risk: Program Certification Revoked
In another dramatic step, the Trump administration last week revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, effectively barring the university from enrolling new international students.
That revocation is currently on hold following a federal judge’s order, and a status conference is scheduled for Tuesday to determine next steps.
Harvard argues that the revocation is yet another politically motivated attack and that it violates basic administrative and constitutional protections.
Additional Threats: Tax-Exempt Status and More Cuts
President Trump has threatened further action, including:
- Canceling an additional $3 billion in federal grants
- Revoking Harvard’s tax-exempt status, potentially costing the university hundreds of millions annually
Administration officials say such steps are still under review but could be enacted if Harvard does not change course.
Global and Academic Impact
Harvard, often considered a global academic bellwether, has warned that these actions could have a chilling effect on academic freedom and research independence not just in the U.S., but worldwide.
The university is currently seeking an injunction to block further retaliatory actions and has requested the Department of Education and Department of Justice provide full documentation of their decisions.
If the current trajectory holds, this standoff could become a defining conflict between a conservative administration and America’s elite higher education institutions, with profound implications for federal funding, academic autonomy, and the future of U.S. research leadership.
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