Judge Orders Funding Reinstated
A Massachusetts federal judge has overturned the Trump administration’s decision to revoke more than $2.2 billion in research support for Harvard University. Judge Allison Burroughs delivered the ruling on September 3, directing that the money be returned and barring officials from suspending it again. The freeze, in place since earlier this year, had left critical scientific and medical studies in limbo.
Opinion Highlights Political Motives
In her 84-page opinion, Burroughs found that the administration’s attempt to end the grants breached both constitutional protections and administrative law. She determined that the move stemmed from political conflicts tied to antisemitism inquiries on campus, not legitimate funding concerns. The judgment made clear that federal research aid cannot be manipulated for political leverage.
Harvard Responds as Agencies Await Guidance
University leaders welcomed the court’s decision, saying it ensures continuity for research that benefits students, faculty, and the public. The Justice Department has not yet confirmed whether it will appeal to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. Agencies including the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health are expected to restart payments, though the timetable for full restoration remains uncertain. The ruling represents a significant defeat for the Trump administration’s broader efforts to pressure universities through control of federal dollars.
