Harvard sues Trump administration over budget cuts
Donald Trump and his administration may face trial as Harvard University has filed a lawsuit against the United States government. The university authorities are demanding the prevention of substantial budget cuts, amounting to several billion dollars.
The conflict between Donald Trump's administration and Harvard University authorities began recently. Last week, the university dismissed the US President's demands to limit diversity initiatives and efforts to combat anti-Semitism on its campus.
In retaliation, Trump blocked the transfer of $2.2 billion USD (CAD 3 billion) to the university and threatened to challenge Harvard's status as a tax-exempt organization.
Harvard Provost Alan M. Garber expressed that the decision by the American president could have significant scientific repercussions for the university. The White House responded by criticizing Harvard, describing it as an institution bogged down by bureaucracy, run by officials, and profiting at the expense of American families.
Harvard authorities seek to block Trump's decision
Harvard University authorities are asking the US federal court to block President Donald Trump's decision to withhold $2.2 billion (approximately CAD 3 billion) in budgetary grants. On Monday (April 21st), the university filed a lawsuit demanding the return of the blocked funds.
According to Harvard scientists quoted by the BBC, the funding freeze could lead to, among other issues, the suspension of research on childhood cancers, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
Harvard University is not the only institution Donald Trump aims to confront. The American president has suspended one billion dollars from Cornell University and $510 million (CAD 706 million) from Brown University. In contrast, Columbia University agreed to modify its programs after $400 million (CAD 554 million) in grants were blocked.
