The Trump administration declared a suspension of more than $2 billion in federal funding for Harvard University, occurring just hours after the esteemed institution declined a series of requests from the White House.

The Department of Education commented, saying, “Harvard’s response today highlights the concerning sense of entitlement that is common in our country’s top universities and colleges.”

Last week, the White House provided Harvard with a list of requests aimed at combating antisemitism on campus. These requests included modifications to how the university is governed, its hiring practices, and its admissions processes.

Harvard declined these requests, stating that the White House was attempting to “control” its community.

Harvard University has become the first prominent institution in the United States to oppose the Trump administration’s efforts to alter its policies. The changes suggested by the White House would have significantly affected the university’s operations and increased governmental oversight.

President Trump has openly condemned leading universities for failing to protect Jewish students, especially during the large protests last year related to the Gaza conflict and US support of Israel.

In a message to the Harvard community on Monday, President Alan Garber revealed that the White House had issued an “updated and expanded list of demands” on Friday, cautioning that the university “must comply” to preserve its “financial relationship” with the government.

“We have communicated to the administration, through our legal counsel, that we will not accept their proposed conditions,” he stated. “The university will not compromise its autonomy or relinquish its constitutional rights.”

Mr. Garber emphasized that while the university is dedicated to combating antisemitism, it considers the government’s demands to be excessive.

Shortly after he sent his letter, the education department announced an immediate halt to $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts with Harvard.

“The disruption of learning on campuses in recent years is simply unacceptable,” the department said.

“The harassment that Jewish students are experiencing is intolerable. Prestigious universities need to take this matter seriously and commit to real change if they want to keep receiving taxpayer dollars,” the statement added.

In a different letter released on Friday, the White House noted that Harvard had “recently failed to maintain the intellectual and civil rights standards necessary for federal funding.”

This letter outlined ten key changes that the White House insisted were crucial for Harvard to maintain its “financial relationship with the federal government.”

Some of the suggested changes included: reporting students to the federal government who show “hostility” towards American values; ensuring that every academic department represents “viewpoint diversity”; and hiring an external, government-approved organization to audit programs and departments that significantly contribute to antisemitic harassment.

The letter directs the university to take disciplinary action for “infractions” that took place during campus protests over the past two years. It also demands an end to the university’s diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Since taking office, Donald Trump has pressured schools to tackle antisemitism and eliminate diversity-focused initiatives.

In December 2023, leaders of prominent American universities were heavily criticized during a congressional hearing, where they were blamed for failing to protect Jewish students following the Israel-Hamas conflict that began two months earlier.

Claudine Gay, who was Harvard’s president at the time, later expressed regret after she remarked during the hearing that while calls for the extermination of Jews were unacceptable, whether such statements breached Harvard’s code of conduct would depend on the situation.

This remark, combined with allegations of plagiarism, led to her stepping down from the position a month later.

In March, the Trump administration announced it was examining approximately $256 million in federal contracts and grants associated with Harvard, along with $8.7 billion in long-term grant commitments.

In response, Harvard faculty members initiated a lawsuit, claiming that the government was unlawfully infringing on freedom of speech and academic independence.

Previously, the White House had rescinded $400 million in federal support from Columbia University, accusing it of failing to adequately address antisemitism and protect Jewish students on its campus.

After the funding was withdrawn, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “Universities must adhere to all federal antidiscrimination laws to qualify for federal funding.” Shortly thereafter, Columbia complied with several of the administration’s requests, which sparked backlash from some students and faculty members.

On Monday, a lawyer representing an organizer of a pro-Palestinian demonstration at Columbia University revealed that her client was apprehended by immigration officials while attending an interview for his U.S. citizenship application.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a green card holder who is expected to graduate next month, was taken into custody on Monday in Colchester, Vermont.

In recent weeks, others involved in campus protests against the war, including Mahmoud Khalil from Columbia University and Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts University, have also faced detention.