Judge overturns Trump administration funding cuts to Harvard

BBC:

A US federal court has overturned billions in funding cuts by President Donald Trump’s administration to Harvard University.

Judge Allison Burroughs ruled the government violated the Ivy League college’s free speech rights when it revoked around $2bn (£1.5bn) in research funding.

The ruling is a major legal victory for Harvard, but is likely to be appealed. The Trump administration accused the college of antisemitism, “radical left” ideologies and racial bias when it froze the funding in April.

Three other Ivy League colleges, including Columbia University, struck deals with Trump to preserve funding that was at risk due to similar claims by the administration.

Boston-based Judge Burroughs wrote in Wednesday’s ruling: “The Court vacates and sets aside the Freeze Orders and Termination Letters as violative of the First Amendment.”

She blocked the administration from stopping any more federal funding to the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based college and barred the government from withholding payment on existing grants.

Harvard and the White House did not immediately comment.