The Trump administration is directing federal agencies to consider canceling approximately $100 million in remaining contracts with Harvard University, citing ongoing controversies over the university’s handling of foreign student records and allegations of racial discrimination. The move comes as Harvard faces legal challenges and has already sued the federal government for the restoration of frozen grant funds.
According to a draft letter obtained by Fox News, the General Services Administration (GSA) plans to instruct all federal agencies to review the estimated $100 million in remaining contracts with Harvard and potentially ‘find alternative vendors.’ The letter includes details of specific contracts, such as the Harvard ManageMentor Licenses agreement, which was awarded in September 2021, and a $523,000 research contract on energy drinks and health outcomes, awarded in August 2023. These contracts, totaling around $100 million, are under scrutiny as part of the administration’s efforts to address what it claims are ongoing issues at the university.
Josh Gruenbaum, the Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner at GSA, cited Harvard’s alleged racial discrimination in its admissions process and other areas of student life. He stated that the university has shown ‘no indication’ of reforming its admissions process despite the Supreme Court’s ruling that its policies discriminate on the basis of race. Gruenbaum also pointed to potential violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act regarding Harvard’s hiring and personnel practices, referencing the Harvard Law Review’s internal documents detailing racial discrimination in its editorial processes.
A significant concern raised by the administration is the university’s handling of foreign student records, including allegations of being ‘very slow’ to turn over information on nonimmigrant students. This issue has led to the revocation of Harvard’s certification by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under Secretary Kristi Noem. The requested records include audio or video footage of threats, ‘deprivation of rights’ incidents, and ‘dangerous or violent activity’ by nonimmigrant students over the past five years, which Harvard has been accused of not fulfilling.
Harvard has already filed a lawsuit seeking the restoration of $3.2 billion in frozen federal grant funds and has been granted a temporary restraining order that blocks the government from canceling its certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. This certification is crucial for hosting over 7,000 international students with F-1 or J-1 visas, representing more than a quarter of the university’s student body. The legal battle is set to continue with a scheduled hearing on Thursday to address Harvard’s ongoing dispute with the federal government.
President Trump has publicly supported the administration’s actions, stating his intent to ‘take Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from Harvard’ and ‘give it to TRADE SCHOOLS across our land,’ calling it a ‘great investment for the USA.’ This sentiment reflects the administration’s strategy to address what it perceives as institutional biases and safety concerns at Harvard, while also advancing its broader economic and policy goals.