Harvard lawyers have scammers in Boston court with the Trump administration, with billions of dollars in funding jeopardized by the Ivy League agencies.
The White House has frozen over $20 billion (£1.5 billion) of federal grants for universities, demanding changes to Harvard’s recruitment, admissions and teaching practices to fight anti-Semitism and stop diversity, equity and inclusion – the program.
President Trump has also taken action to prevent universities from obtaining visa systems that allow them to enroll.
In response, the university filed a lawsuit and demanded a summary judgment, which was a swift decision based on established facts without a full trial.
Monday’s hearing was held in court of U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs Several interim rulings have been made to support Harvard University In another lawsuit against the foreign student visa system.
While it is unlikely that the ruling will be made immediately after a one-day hearing, Harvard attorneys have asked for a decision by September 3 – the Trump administration gives universities financial obligations to federal grants.
Any ruling in the case could be appealed and could eventually be brought to the U.S. Supreme Court.
At the hearing, Harvard attorney Steven Lehotsky argued that the government was trying to control the “internal functioning” of the agency.
Administration lawyer Michael Velchik said the university violated an executive order signed by Trump to direct the fight against anti-Semitism.
“Harvard is going to be billions, and that’s the only reason we’re here,” local media reported.
But Judge Blaus said the government did not provide “no documents, no procedures” to “declare whether the “Harvard administrators” had taken enough steps or did not “fight anti-Semitism.”
“In terms of the constitution, this consequence is shocking,” the judge said.
Earlier, Harvard attorneys argued in a brief filed in June that the White House violated the U.S. Constitution’s freedom of speech provisions and violated the university’s rights “decided what to teach, express certain opinions, express certain opinions, and ask the court to defend itself.”
The university also believes that the government’s failure to comply with the rules regarding the suspension of federal funds is punitive and “has nothing to do with the issues they say, and there is no reasonable connection.”
In submitting funds, the U.S. Department of Justice attorney argued that “clear conditions” need to support government policy.
“if [universities] “These conditions cannot be met and the grant will be cancelled,” the government lawyer wrote.
President Trump suggested his actions against Harvard were part of a negotiation strategy, once saying: “I think we might settle with Harvard.”
“We are confident that Harvard will eventually emerge and support the president’s vision, and through good-intentioned dialogue and negotiations, which is impossible,” a White House spokesman said in a statement.
The government’s push to Harvard is part of a broader effort toward elite Ivy League universities.
Earlier this month, U.S. immigration and customs law enforcement sent a subpoena to Harvard University for information about international students, and President Trump had previously suggested ending Harvard’s tax-free status.
In March, Columbia University in New York agreed to several administrative requirements, including a ban on facial cover during protests and reviewing enrollment policies after the White House threatened to end $400 million in funding.
However, these moves did not seem to be fully appeased by the administration, and the U.S. Department of Education has since threatened to deprive Colombia of certification.
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