Trump's funding freeze at Harvard has been annulled by a judge

In a significant ruling, a Boston judge has annulled and set aside the funding freeze decisions imposed by the Trump administration on Harvard University. The judge's decision, which allows Harvard to continue receiving federal funding, comes after a legal battle between the prestigious institution and the government.

The controversy began when the Trump administration accused Harvard of insufficient protection for its Jewish or Israeli students during campus protests. In response, the government withdrew more than $2.6 billion in subsidies and revoked Harvard's SEVIS certification.

However, the judge, whose name has not been explicitly mentioned in the available sources, ruled in favour of Harvard, allowing it to continue receiving federal funding. Other universities, such as Columbia University, have also been targeted by the Trump administration for reductions in federal funding due to allegations of insufficient protection of Jewish students against antisemitism.

During the first hearing in Boston, former President Donald Trump accused the judge of being a notorious opponent and Harvard of being "anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, and anti-American." The judge, however, accused the administration of using antisemitism as a smokescreen to carry out a targeted and ideologically motivated attack against Harvard.

Harvard President Alan Garber noted that this decision validated the "arguments in favour of the academic freedom of the university." The university claims to have taken measures to ensure Jewish or Israeli students and staff do not feel excluded or intimidated on campus.

The judge also noted that while anti-Semitism is intolerable, there is little connection between the research areas affected by the subsidy freezes and antisemitism. The university argues that certain federal government measures threaten freedom of expression.

In addition to the freeze on subsidies, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the opening of an investigation into whether Harvard complied with all regulations regarding exchanges with foreign universities. Marco Rubio stated that the American people have a right to expect universities to ensure national security, respect the law, and provide a safe environment for all students.

The White House has announced it will immediately appeal the judge's decision. Liz Huston, press secretary of the White House, reacted that the judge's decision was expected.

Ray Brescia, a professor at Albany Law School, suggests that Donald Trump might return to the negotiation table for a financial agreement with the university. Donald Trump has accused Harvard of serving as a breeding ground for the "woke" ideology.

The legal battle between Harvard and the government serves as a test for other higher education institutions. As the dust settles, the future of funding for universities and the balance between academic freedom and national security remains uncertain.