A US judge on Wednesday ordered the Trump administration to overturn deep funding cuts to Harvard University that froze more than $2 billion over allegations of antisemitism and bias at the Ivy League institution, reports AFP.
The administration vowed to appeal and insisted its move was legally justified over Harvard's alleged failure to protect Jewish and Israeli students amid campus protests against Israel's war in Gaza.
Harvard denied those claims, saying Trump was instead focused on controlling the prestigious school's hiring, admissions and curriculum.
Due to the cuts to its funding stream, Harvard was forced into a hiring freeze and pause ambitious research programmes, particularly in the public health and medical spheres -- pauses experts warned put American lives at risk.
The ruling could shape talks on a settlement reportedly underway between Harvard and the White House under which the university would pay a sum acknowledging Trump's claims, with federal funding restored in return.
Other universities have struck similar deals with the administration.
"The Court vacates and sets aside the Freeze Orders and Termination Letters as violative of the First Amendment," Boston federal judge Allison Burroughs said in her order.
"All freezes and terminations of funding to Harvard made pursuant to the Freeze Orders and Termination Letters on or after April 14, 2025 are vacated and set aside."
The ruling also bars the administration from using the same reasoning to cut funding in the future.
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