Harvard sued Donald Trump's administration on Monday over the freezing of federal subsidies intended for the U.S. university, a new step in the standoff between the institution and the White House.

For several weeks, Trump's government has been targeting the country's prestigious universities, accusing them of allowing anti-Semitism to thrive during student movements against the war in Gaza, which they deny. Among its targets, Harvard University, one of the top-ranked globally, saw $2.2 billion in federal subsidies frozen after rejecting U.S. government demands last week. Trump has threatened to go even further by revoking the tax exemption granted to Harvard, which he accused of spreading 'hatred and stupidity.'

In response, the university near Boston (Northeast) filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Massachusetts. "This case is about the government's efforts to use the freezing of federal subsidies as a means of taking control over academic decisions at Harvard," the university stated in a court document. 'The government's actions infringe not only on the First Amendment (of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression) but also on federal laws and regulations," the document reads, describing the government's decision as "arbitrary."

'Structural reforms'

Harvard is criticized by conservatives who target U.S. universities they consider too left-leaning. Attacks intensified in spring 2024 during pro-Palestinian student mobilizations against the war waged by Israel in Gaza. Republican lawmakers have also announced they have launched an investigation into Harvard in Congress, accusing it of violating equality laws. Trump's administration also threatened to ban foreign students if it did not agree to submit to control over admissions, hiring, and political orientation.

"Make no mistake: Harvard rejects anti-Semitism and discrimination in all its forms and is actively implementing structural reforms to eradicate anti-Semitism from its campus," the court document states on Monday. "But instead of engaging with Harvard in these ongoing efforts, the government has announced a general freeze on funding for medical, scientific, technological, and other research unrelated to anti-Semitism."

Harvard's stance has been praised by many professors and students as a rare sign of resistance, while New York's Columbia University has agreed to implement reforms under pressure from the Republican administration.