Federal Sanctions Against Universities During Donald Trump's Second Term (2025)

In 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump began implementing comprehensive sanctions against various universities during his second term. The federal administration intervened, citing inadequate measures to address pro-Palestinian protests on campuses, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and efforts to combat antisemitism. As part of this action, federal funding to certain higher education institutions has been cut, frozen, or made conditional. Many institutions, including Harvard, Columbia, Cornell, Northwestern, Princeton, Brown, and the University of Pennsylvania, have been directly affected by these interventions.

_{The Daily Northwestern gazetesinin 9 Nisan 2025 tarihli manşeti - Anadolu Ajansı}

As of 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump has taken steps to cut or freeze federal funding to certain universities. These decisions were enacted based on reviews of pro-Palestinian protests on campuses, measures to combat antisemitism, and DEI programs.

The Trump administration launched several official investigations to examine how universities use federal funds. These investigations, conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, are carried out under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. On 14 March 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights announced Title VI investigations targeting 45 higher education institutions. As a result, federal grants, research contracts, and defense-related funding amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars have been suspended for some universities.

The Trump administration’s demands include requiring universities to review their DEI programs, ban mask usage during campus demonstrations, report violations of code of conduct by international students, refuse recognition of certain student organizations, and exercise oversight over specific academic departments.

The Trump administration has stated that federal support may be terminated if these demands are not met. Harvard University was the first institution listed among those failing to comply. The policy also applies to Columbia, Cornell, Northwestern, Brown, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania, all of which have faced funding cuts or freezes.

Columbia University became one of the first higher education institutions targeted by the Trump administration’s intervention in federal funding. On 3 March 2025, federal agencies issued a “stop-work” notice regarding a contract worth approximately $51 million; on 7 March 2025, approximately $400 million in federal support was cut off.

This decision followed pro-Palestinian demonstrations held at Columbia University during 2024. During these protests, numerous students were arrested; following the events, former president Minouche Shafik resigned. The Trump administration characterized these incidents as “antisemitic harassment and violence.”

_{A scene from protests held at Columbia University, March 26, 2025 – Columbia Spectator}

After the funding cut, Columbia’s administration implemented several measures to partially meet the demands. The university placed the Middle Eastern Studies Department under review, hired new security personnel, banned mask usage during protests, and suspended recognition of certain student groups. On 21 March 2025, the university announced it would implement broader policy changes, including reviewing curricula and governance structures of certain international studies departments and appointing a new senior official.

Interim president Claire Shipman, in a statement on 15 April 2025, acknowledged accepting some reforms but rejected directives she viewed as interference in institutional autonomy. During the same period, some academic circles within the university filed lawsuits challenging the decisions and protesting the measures.

Harvard University became a direct target of sanctions throughout 2025 due to its refusal to comply with the Trump administration’s demands regarding federal funding. On 3 April 2025, an official letter from the U.S. Department of Education outlined demands including restrictions on protests, a ban on masks, non-recognition of certain student organizations, and administrative reforms. President Alan Garber stated these demands violated the university’s constitutional rights.

Following this response, the Trump administration froze Harvard’s $2.2 billion multi-year grant and a $60 million contract. It also announced that the legality of $8.7 billion in total federal support would be reviewed. On 15 April, Trump stated on Truth Social that the university had “lost its way” and suggested its tax-exempt status could be revoked.

On 21 April 2025, Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The complaint alleged that federal funding was being used as an ideological pressure tool. Garber argued that the government was attempting to interfere in hiring practices and academic content within the university.

_{A banner reading "Stand Up to Bullies" at protests held at Harvard University, April 13, 2025 -} The Harvard Crimson

Throughout May, the Trump administration announced additional sanctions against Harvard. On 5 May, new federal grants were halted; on 13 May, eight federal agencies announced a further $450 million in funding cuts. On 19 May, the Department of Justice announced it would initiate an investigation under the False Claims Act into Harvard’s DEI policies.

As of April 2025, Cornell University became one of the higher education institutions whose federal funding was frozen. Under Title VI civil rights investigations conducted by the Trump administration, over $1 billion in federal funds was suspended.

As part of the funding freeze, more than 75 “stop-work orders” were issued, primarily affecting research contracts with the Department of Defense. These suspensions cover projects in cybersecurity, health, and national defense. In a statement, Cornell noted it had not received any official notification regarding the funding suspension but became aware through media reports. The university stated it was actively communicating with federal authorities to clarify the reasons behind the decision.

On 10 March 2025, the U.S. Department of Education sent letters to more than 60 universities, including Cornell, demanding new measures to ensure the safety of Jewish students on campus. The letters warned that failure to comply would result in sanctions.

In an article published in April, Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff stated that the institution would continue to support freedom of expression without yielding to public pressure.

Northwestern University was also included among universities whose funding was suspended under the Trump administration’s federal investigations. The university’s approximately $790 million in federal support was halted due to ongoing civil rights inquiries.

The university administration stated it had not received an official notice regarding the funding cut but confirmed it was cooperating with federal authorities. It was noted that the majority of these funds were allocated to research projects in medicine, engineering, and life sciences. Advanced research initiatives such as light-powered heart implants and immune-based therapies for Alzheimer’s disease developed by Northwestern researchers could be affected by this suspension.

Various responses were organized on campus against the funding cut decision. Protests were held at the main campus in Illinois, with students and faculty demanding that the administration defend the rights of students and academic staff.

_{Northwestern University students protest Trump's decisions on higher education, April 18, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

At these protests, participants criticized the Trump administration for using the fight against antisemitism as a pretext for intervening in higher education. Student representatives argued that these policies threatened not only specific identity groups but also freedom of expression and due process. Some faculty members emphasized that the pressure on universities was part of a nationwide effort to reshape higher education. Mark Hoffman, a university official, stated that changes to student visas and credit policies were also part of this broader process.

_{Northwestern University students protest Trump's decisions on higher education, April 18, 2025 - Anadolu Agency}

On 1 April 2025, the Trump administration suspended research funding provided to the university by agencies including the U.S. Department of Energy, NASA, and the Department of Defense. On 9 April 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that three climate-related research projects at Princeton were deemed inconsistent with the goals of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), resulting in the cancellation of approximately $4 million in funding.

The department stated that these projects promoted “exaggerated and irrational climate threats.” It was further indicated that the funding cuts would take effect on 30 June 2025 and were expected to generate millions of dollars in savings for the U.S. budget.

In a communication to faculty, President Christopher Eisgruber confirmed that funding from various departments had been suspended and that the reasons for these decisions had not been clearly explained. He emphasized that the university remained committed to combating antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.

Brown University has faced the threat of federal funding cuts under Donald Trump’s policies to combat antisemitism. According to sources close to the White House, the administration plans to suspend $510 million in federal contracts and grants to the university.

As part of investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Education, Brown University was listed among more than 50 higher education institutions under review for allegations of antisemitic harassment and discrimination. Criticism intensified following pro-Palestinian student demonstrations on campus.

The Trump administration assessed that Brown University, like over 50 other institutions affected by the protest wave that began at Columbia University, had failed to take sufficient administrative measures. Over 3,100 individuals were reportedly arrested during these protests. University administrator Frank Doyle, in an internal memo to staff, acknowledged awareness of the administration’s strong statements on funding but noted that no direct confirmation or denial of the funding cut had been received.

In the third week of March 2025, the Trump administration announced it had suspended approximately $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania. This amount includes grants and contracts from the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services.

The university administration stated it had not received direct notification regarding the funding suspension and requested official clarification of the reasons behind the decision. The affected resources support various research programs and initiatives, primarily in biomedicine and health services.

The policy is one of several measures enacted against higher education institutions during Trump’s presidency. Under this initiative, some universities saw their federal funding suspended, revoked, or made contingent on compliance with government demands. These actions were primarily justified by the universities’ responses to campus protests, diversity and inclusion programs, and federal expectations regarding efforts to combat antisemitism.

_{Headline of The Daily Northwestern, April 9, 2025 – Anadolu Agency}

In 2025, the Trump administration moved to restrict federal funding for specific universities, citing concerns over pro-Palestinian protests on campus, perceived shortcomings in tackling antisemitism, and objections to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

To implement the policy, federal investigations were launched to examine how institutions were using federal funds. These investigations were conducted by the U.S. Department of Education under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. On March 14, 2025, the Department’s Office for Civil Rights announced that it had opened Title VI investigations into 45 colleges and universities. As a result, hundreds of millions of dollars in grants, research contracts, and federal project funds were put on hold.

The administration issued a series of demands to affected institutions. These included reassessing DEI programs, banning masks during campus protests, reporting code violations by international students, withdrawing recognition from certain student organizations, and placing oversight on specific academic departments.

Officials warned that failure to comply with these conditions would result in the withdrawal of federal support. Harvard University was the first to reject the administration’s demands. Other institutions named in the funding freeze or cutbacks included Columbia, Cornell, Northwestern, Brown, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania.

Columbia University was one of the first higher education institutions targeted under the Trump administration’s federal funding interventions. On March 3, 2025, federal agencies issued a “stop-work” order concerning approximately $51 million in active contracts. Just days later, on March 7, around $400 million in federal support to the university was officially withdrawn.

_{An image from the protests held at Columbia University, March 26, 2025 – Columbia Spectator}

This decision was largely influenced by pro-Palestinian demonstrations held on Columbia’s campus throughout 2024. During the protests, numerous students were detained, and university president Minouche Shafik subsequently stepped down. The Trump administration characterized these events as instances of “antisemitic harassment and violence.” Following the funding cut, Columbia implemented several measures to align with federal demands. The university placed its Middle Eastern Studies department under administrative review, hired new security personnel, prohibited mask-wearing during demonstrations, and suspended recognition of certain student groups. On March 21, 2025, Columbia announced a broader set of institutional reforms, including a review of curricula and governance in several international studies departments and the appointment of a new senior administrator.

Acting President Claire Shipman, in a statement dated April 15, 2025, acknowledged that while the university had accepted some of the federal demands, it would reject any measures perceived as undermining institutional autonomy. Around the same time, several faculty groups filed lawsuits challenging the administration's interventions.

Harvard University was directly targeted by the Trump administration after refusing to comply with federal demands regarding campus policies. The administration ordered the university to suppress pro-Palestinian protests and dismantle its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. On April 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education sent Harvard a formal letter outlining specific requirements. These included a ban on masks during protests, restrictions on student demonstrations, derecognition of certain campus organizations, and a restructuring of the university’s leadership. Harvard President Alan Garber rejected the demands, issuing a public statement in which he described them as unconstitutional and incompatible with the university’s principles.

_{A banner reading “Stand Up to Bullies” at a protest held at Harvard University, April 13, 2025 –} The Harvard Crimson

Following Garber’s statement, the Trump administration froze $2.2 billion in federal grants and an additional $60 million in contracts—amounting to a total of $2.3 billion in suspended funding. The administration also launched an investigation into the university’s use of more than $8.7 billion in federal funding, aiming to determine whether the funds had been managed in compliance with civil rights laws. Harvard faculty responded by filing legal challenges to the investigation.

On April 15 and 16, 2025, Donald Trump published multiple posts on Truth Social asserting that Harvard had “lost its way” and should no longer receive federal funding. He also suggested that the university’s tax-exempt status could be revoked.

As of April 2025, Cornell University became one of the higher education institutions subject to a federal funding freeze. Under civil rights investigations carried out by the Trump administration pursuant to Title VI, more than $1 billion in federal funds allocated to the university were suspended.

As part of the freeze, the Department of Defense issued over 75 “stop-work orders,” affecting various research contracts. These orders impacted ongoing projects in cybersecurity, healthcare, and national defense. In a public statement, Cornell noted that it had not received any formal notification regarding the funding suspension but had learned of the decision through media reports. The university added that it was seeking clarification from federal officials regarding the basis for the decision.

On March 10, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education sent letters to more than 60 universities, including Cornell, urging them to implement additional measures to ensure the safety of Jewish students on campus. The letter warned that failure to meet these expectations could result in further sanctions. In an article published in April, Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff emphasized that the institution would continue to uphold freedom of expression and public discourse, regardless of outside pressures.

Northwestern University was also included among the institutions whose federal funding was frozen by the Trump administration as part of ongoing federal investigations. Approximately $790 million in federal support was halted due to what the administration described as pending civil rights inquiries. The university stated that it had not received formal notice of the funding freeze but was cooperating with federal agencies involved in the investigations. It explained that most of the affected funds were allocated to research projects in medicine, engineering, and the life sciences. Among the potentially impacted work were high-profile innovations such as a light-powered pacemaker and immune-based therapies for Alzheimer’s disease, both developed by Northwestern researchers.

_{Northwestern University students protest Trump’s higher education policies, April 18, 2025 – Anadolu Agency}

In response to the funding freeze, students and faculty organized demonstrations on the university’s main campus in Illinois. Protesters called on the university administration to defend the rights of students and academic personnel. During these protests, participants criticized the Trump administration’s use of antisemitism as a justification for broader interventions in higher education. Student representatives argued that the policies endangered not only specific identity groups but also freedom of expression and due process. Some faculty members framed the administration’s actions as part of a nationwide campaign to reshape higher education. University official Mark Hoffman added that changes to student visa regulations and federal student aid policies were also elements of this broader agenda.

_{Northwestern University students protest Trump’s higher education policies, April 18, 2025 – Anadolu Agency}

On April 1, 2025, the Trump administration suspended multiple research grants awarded to Princeton University by agencies such as the U.S. Department of Energy, NASA, and the Department of Defense. In a formal statement issued on April 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced that three climate-related research projects at Princeton were deemed inconsistent with the current objectives of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and that approximately $4 million in funding would be cut.

The statement further claimed that the projects in question were promoting “exaggerated and unreasonable climate threats.” As a result, the funding cuts were scheduled to take effect on June 30, 2025, with the administration projecting millions of dollars in federal budget savings. In an internal communication to faculty, University President Christopher Eisgruber confirmed that funding from several federal agencies had been suspended and noted that the administration had not provided a clear rationale for the decision. He also reiterated Princeton’s ongoing commitment to combating antisemitism and all forms of discrimination.

Brown University faced the threat of a significant funding cut as part of President Donald Trump’s antisemitism-related policy agenda. According to sources within the White House, the administration was preparing to halt $510 million in federal grants and contracts awarded to the university. As part of ongoing investigations by the U.S. Department of Education, Brown was identified as one of over 50 higher education institutions under review for alleged incidents of antisemitic harassment and discrimination. Criticism directed at the university increased following pro-Palestinian demonstrations held on campus.

The Trump administration assessed that Brown had failed to implement sufficient administrative measures in response to a wave of campus protests that began at Columbia University and spread to more than 50 other institutions. It was reported that over 3,100 individuals had been detained in connection with these demonstrations. In an internal email to staff, university official Frank Doyle acknowledged awareness of the Trump administration’s critical stance on funding support. However, the message did not confirm or deny any official notification regarding the suspension of funds.

In the third week of March 2025, the Trump administration announced that it was suspending approximately $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania. The affected grants and contracts were issued by the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services.

The university stated that it had not received direct notice of the funding suspension and requested official clarification on the rationale behind the decision. The frozen funds were designated for a range of programs, primarily in the fields of biomedical research and public health.

Harvard University announced on April 21, 2025, that it had filed a lawsuit against the administration of Donald Trump to prevent the freezing of its federal funding. In an official statement published on the university’s website by President Alan Garber, it was stated that the Trump administration’s funding cuts violate the law and exceed executive authority​.

Garber emphasized that the university would not comply with the federal government’s “unlawful demands” and disclosed that in addition to the $2.2 billion in frozen funds, a further $1 billion is also slated for suspension. He also noted that the government is considering revoking the university’s tax-exempt status.

The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration is using federal funding as a tool to pressure the university into conforming to specific ideological positions. Garber stated that the government is attempting to interfere in who is hired and what is taught within the university, and affirmed that Harvard is defending the fundamental values of American higher education against these actions.

On April 21, 2025, Harvard University announced that it had filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration in an effort to prevent the freezing of its federal funds. In a statement published on the university’s official website, President Alan Garber declared that the funding cuts were unlawful and represented an overreach of executive authority.

Garber emphasized that the university would not yield to what he described as the federal government’s “illegal demands.” He noted that in addition to the $2.2 billion in already frozen funds, a further $1 billion was also at risk of being withheld. He also stated that the government was considering revoking the university’s tax-exempt status.

The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration used federal funding as a tool to pressure the university into adopting certain ideological positions. Garber asserted that the government was attempting to interfere with hiring decisions and academic content, and affirmed that the university was committed to defending the core values of American higher education in response to these actions.

On 22 May 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the revocation of Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. As a result of this decision, the university has lost its authority to admit international students with F-1 and J-1 visas beginning with the 2025–2026 academic year. Current international students are required to transfer to another institution in order to maintain their legal status.

In an official letter sent to Harvard by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, the rationale for the decision cited the university’s failure to comply with reporting obligations and allegations of violence antisemitism and coordination with the Chinese Communist Party on campus. Noem stated that this action serves as a warning to other universities.

Harvard’s administration has characterized the action as unlawful and warned that it would harm the academic community and the university’s educational mission. The university has pledged to support its international students in continuing their education.

According to university data approximately 6,800 international students were enrolled at Harvard during the 2024–2025 academic year representing about 27 percent of the total student population. The largest numbers of students come from China Canada India South Korea and the United Kingdom.

Prior to the decision the Trump administration demanded that Harvard submit video and audio recordings of protest activities by international students over the past five years within 72 hours. The university’s refusal to comply led to the implementation of the decision.

According to the Department of Homeland Security the action affects not only the university’s ability to admit students but also its eligibility to receive federal funding. Additionally the Department of Health and Human Services announced the cancellation of a new federal grant of $60 million to Harvard.

On 23 May 2025, Harvard University filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security challenging the ban on international student admissions. The complaint argues that the revocation of the university’s authority under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) violates its constitutional rights and targets freedom of expression.

The Department of Homeland Security cited Harvard’s failure to submit records of protests involving international students over the past five years within 72 hours and its noncompliance with reporting obligations as grounds for the decision. Under this ruling, Harvard University has lost its authority to admit students holding F-1 and J-1 visas effective the 2025–2026 academic year. Current international students are required to transfer to other educational institutions to maintain their legal status.

The lawsuit emphasizes that the ban directly affects more than 7,000 international students at Harvard. University leadership stated that these students’ academic social and legal statuses have been thrown into uncertainty and has requested an immediate halt to the enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security’s decision.

In its defense submitted to the court, the Department of Homeland Security asserted that its decision was legally grounded and claimed that Harvard had failed to demonstrate the necessary cooperation on matters of security and public order. The department also stated that the student visa program is not a constitutional right but an administrative authority subject to conditions and granted as a privilege contingent upon compliance.

On 23 May 2025, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued a temporary injunction halting the enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security’s decision to suspend Harvard University’s international student admissions program. The judge’s ruling is a preliminary measure and does not constitute a final determination on the merits of the case.

In her reasoning the court emphasized the need to protect the constitutional rights and educational rights asserted by Harvard. It specifically noted the imperative of preventing disruption to students’ education. The injunction ensures that students’ statuses remain protected during the ongoing litigation.

This ruling represents the first official judicial response to the Trump administration’s policies being challenged on legal grounds. The court’s final decision will be determined through the continued litigation process.

In May 2025 the University of Tokyo announced plans to temporarily admit international students affected by the Donald Trump administration’s ban on Harvard University’s international admissions. Japan’s Ministry of Education also called for the temporary acceptance of foreign students forced to leave Harvard or whose status was at risk.

These developments generated widespread public attention in Belgium due to the potential impact on Princess Elisabeth the future queen of Belgium’s education at Harvard. The Belgian Royal Palace announced it was undertaking an official evaluation of the matter.

Harvard University’s former president Drew Gilpin Faust stated in an article published in the New York Times that fundamental democratic principles and freedoms in the United States are under threat. Faust noted that historically the United States’ multicultural democratic structure had achieved significant progress but that these gains were increasingly eroding.

In her letter she drew attention to debates over birthright citizenship and opposition to landmark legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 designed to prevent discrimination. Faust emphasized that American society must speak out and defend these foundational principles in the face of such threats.