The Trump administration initiated steps on Tuesday to revoke all remaining federal contracts with Harvard University, which are valued at approximately $100 million. This move marks an escalation in the ongoing financial and legal conflict with the prestigious institution.
In a correspondence to top procurement officials across federal agencies, the U.S. General Services Administration expressed its intention to terminate these contracts, alleging that Harvard “continues to engage in race discrimination” regarding its admission practices and other aspects of campus life.
The New York Times was the first to report on the GSA’s notification.
The letter emphasized, “Being a counterparty with the federal government entails a profound responsibility to comply with all federal regulations and to protect taxpayer funds.”
“The government, as stewards of taxpayer interests, is obligated to ensure that procurement funds are allocated to vendors and contractors who uphold principles of nondiscrimination and serve the national interest.”
This development follows a resolution made five days prior when the Trump administration prohibited Harvard from admitting international students. A federal judge in Boston subsequently issued a temporary injunction against that ban, pending a hearing scheduled for Tuesday.
Last month, the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal grants that were designated for Harvard, a punitive measure taken after the university rebuffed demands to abandon its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and to reconsider the admission of international students based on ideological criteria.
On Monday, President Donald Trump suggested through social media that the funds allocated for the frozen grants and other financial support for Harvard should instead be redirected to “TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land.”
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
