Trump Administration Moves to Sever All Federal Contracts with Harvard University

The Trump administration has announced a sweeping move to cancel all remaining federal contracts with Harvard University, a decision that could strip the Ivy League institution of approximately $100 million in funding and marks a dramatic escalation in the ongoing conflict between the White House and one of the nation’s most prestigious universities.

Federal Agencies Ordered to End Ties

On Tuesday, a letter from the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) was dispatched to all federal agencies, instructing them to identify, evaluate, and terminate or reassign any existing contracts with Harvard. The directive also encourages agencies to seek “alternative vendors” for future services that previously involved Harvard. Essential services will not be immediately halted but will be transitioned to other providers as soon as feasible.

Scope and Rationale

The administration has identified about 30 contracts across nine federal agencies that are subject to review, covering a range of activities including scientific research and executive training for government officials. The $100 million in contracts targeted by this action represents the last major tranche of federal funding directly tied to Harvard’s operations.

According to senior administration officials, this move is part of a broader campaign to diminish Harvard’s financial foundation and international standing, particularly after the university resisted government demands for significant changes to its policies on leadership, governance, admissions, and viewpoint diversity. The administration has cited allegations of discriminatory practices and antisemitism as part of its rationale for the decision.

Escalating Tensions and Previous Actions

This latest measure follows a series of punitive steps by the Trump administration against Harvard:

• Nearly $3 billion in federal research grants and contracts have already been frozen or canceled in recent months.
• The administration has attempted to revoke Harvard’s authority to enroll international students, who make up about 27% of the university’s student body.
• Harvard has filed a lawsuit challenging the administration’s demands and the loss of federal funding, arguing that the university is not an arm of any political party and defending its independence.

Impact and Uncertainty

Harvard has not yet issued an official response to the latest directive. The university has previously warned that the loss of federal funding could bring ongoing research in critical fields such as medicine, science, and technology to a halt.

A federal judge in Boston recently issued a temporary order preventing the Department of Homeland Security from rescinding Harvard’s ability to enroll foreign students, pending a hearing later this week. The Department of Justice has indicated it will comply with the court’s order while reviewing its next steps.

What’s Next

Federal agencies are required to submit lists of terminated contracts by June 6. The administration’s directive is expected to impact a broad array of government programs and research initiatives currently involving Harvard, though contracts deemed critical will be transitioned rather than abruptly ended.

This unprecedented action underscores the deepening rift between the Trump administration and elite academic institutions, with Harvard at the center of a national debate over academic freedom, government oversight, and the future of federal support for higher education.