Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem recently canceled $2.7 million in grants to Harvard University due to concerns about the institution’s alleged anti-American and pro-Hamas ideology. Noem declared Harvard “unfit to be entrusted with taxpayer dollars” and warned that the university could lose its certification to enroll international students under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) if it fails to submit required records by April 30. The canceled grants included funding for violence prevention and public health messaging that DHS deemed ideologically skewed.
President Donald Trump has also taken action against Harvard, freezing $2.2 billion in federal funding and requesting the IRS to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status. Trump criticized Harvard’s leadership and faculty on social media, accusing the institution of hiring “woke, Radical Left” individuals who teach “failure” to students. The IRS is currently reviewing Harvard’s nonprofit designation, but a final decision has not yet been made. This move is part of a broader federal crackdown on campus antisemitism following a Hamas attack on Israel.
The DHS decision to cancel the grants comes amid growing criticism of Harvard for alleged antisemitic rhetoric and protests involving students and faculty. Noem’s statement referenced concerns about the conduct of foreign visa-holding individuals at the university and called for documentation of their behavior. With a significant endowment of $53.2 billion, Harvard is one of the wealthiest institutions globally, leading DHS to suggest that the university should be able to fund its own programs without relying on taxpayer money.
Harvard has not publicly responded to the termination of the grants or the DHS demand for records. The Department of Education has also launched a review of more than $255.6 million in federal contracts and nearly $9 billion in grants involving Harvard and its affiliates. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon criticized Harvard for failing to protect students from antisemitic discrimination while promoting divisive ideologies over free inquiry, putting the institution’s reputation at risk. Similarly, Columbia University has faced similar scrutiny for allegedly failing to meet civil rights and national security obligations.
The federal government’s actions against Harvard reflect a broader trend of increased enforcement on institutions deemed to be falling short of federal standards for student conduct and institutional accountability. Noem’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital. The cancellation of grants to Harvard and scrutiny from multiple federal agencies underscores the importance of ensuring that universities adhere to federal regulations and maintain a safe and inclusive environment for students.
