The Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism announced Monday it is taking the significant step of freezing nearly $2.3 billion in funding allocated to Harvard University, citing deep concerns over the institution’s handling of anti-Semitism and its commitment to upholding civil rights laws.
The decision freezes $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in multi-year contract value previously designated for the university.
READ: El Salvadoran Fugitive Convicted In High-Profile Rape, Murder Of Maryland Mom Rachel Morin
In a strongly worded statement released yesterday, the Task Force directly linked the funding freeze to a statement issued by Harvard earlier the same day. The Task Force characterized Harvard’s communication as reinforcing a “troubling entitlement mindset that is endemic in our nation’s most prestigious universities and colleges – that federal investment does not come with the responsibility to uphold civil rights laws.”
The Task Force condemned the ongoing “disruption of learning that has plagued campuses in recent years” as “unacceptable” and labeled the harassment faced by Jewish students as “intolerable.”
The statement emphasized the need for accountability from institutions receiving public funds. “It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support,” the Task Force declared.
READ: Trump Administration Seeks $9.3 Billion Funding Cut From NPR, PBS, And USAID
This unprecedented move signals a major escalation in the ongoing scrutiny of how universities, particularly prominent ones like Harvard, are addressing incidents of anti-Semitism and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment for all students while upholding their legal obligations under civil rights laws.
The freeze on substantial federal grants and contracts represents a significant financial blow to Harvard and sends a clear message that the Task Force believes the university has failed to adequately address these critical issues.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
