The Trump administration is cracking down on Harvard University, demanding federal agencies sever ties over alleged racial discrimination. The move signals a bold escalation in the ongoing clash between the White House and elite academia. It’s a classic case of actions meeting consequences.
Politico reported that the General Services Administration (GSA) sent a letter on May 27, 2025, pressing federal procurement officials to review and potentially terminate contracts with Harvard. The agency accuses the university of discriminatory practices in admissions and campus life.
President Donald Trump doubled down, proposing to redirect $3 billion in Harvard’s grant money to trade schools nationwide.
He framed the move as a stand against what he called Harvard’s “antisemitic” policies. The rhetoric is fiery, but the policy push is clear: defund and redirect.
The GSA’s letter, penned by Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, didn’t mince words. “We recommend that your agency terminate for convenience each contract that it determines has failed to meet its standards,” Gruenbaum wrote. He’s essentially telling agencies to cut Harvard loose and find better partners.
Gruenbaum went further, urging agencies to seek alternative vendors for future services. “Going forward, we also encourage your agency to seek alternative vendors for future services where you had previously considered Harvard,” he stated. It’s a polite but pointed nudge to sideline the Ivy League giant.
Harvard, predictably, hasn’t taken this lying down. The university sued the Department of Homeland Security, alleging the administration’s moves are unconstitutional retaliation.
The lawsuit stems from Trump’s earlier attempt to limit Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students, a policy now stalled by a federal judge.
Last week, a federal judge blocked the administration’s bid to curb Harvard’s foreign student enrollment. The ruling, handed down between May 19 and May 25, 2025, was a setback for Trump’s broader campaign against the university. It’s a reminder that even a determined administration can’t always bulldoze through the courts.
Harvard’s legal pushback accuses the administration of overstepping its authority. The university claims the moves are less about policy and more about settling political scores. Yet, the administration’s persistence suggests this fight is far from over.
Trump’s Monday statement about redirecting $3 billion in grants was vintage showmanship. “Taking Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard, and giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land,” he declared. It’s a populist pitch, but the feasibility remains murky.
The GSA set a tight deadline of June 6, 2025, for agencies to report their plans for Harvard-related contracts.
This aggressive timeline underscores the administration’s urgency to reshape federal spending. Bureaucrats are likely scrambling to comply—or to find loopholes.
The GSA’s accusations of racial discrimination are serious but vague. Without specific evidence outlined in public, the charge risks being dismissed as political theater. Still, it’s a bold move to put Harvard on notice.
Harvard’s silence on the GSA’s announcement is telling. The university didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment, perhaps weighing its next legal or public relations move. In a high-stakes game like this, silence can speak louder than words.
Redirecting funds to trade schools is a nod to the working class, who often feel ignored by coastal elites. Whether it’s practical or just posturing, the proposal taps into a real frustration with academia’s priorities. Trump’s base will likely eat it up.
