On Wednesday, Kristen Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), announced the cancellation of $2.7 million in grants previously awarded to Harvard University. This decision marks a significant action against the prestigious institution, which Noem deems “unfit” to handle taxpayer funding.

Reasons for Grant Cancellation

Noem’s statement criticized the university for fostering an environment described as “anti-American” and propagating pro-Hamas sentiments within its academic space. She emphasized that taxpayer dollars should not support institutions that fail to meet federal standards of accountability and student conduct.

As part of this decision, Harvard is required to submit specific records by April 30 to maintain its certification to enroll international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).

Details of The Canceled Grants

The halted funding includes:

• An $800,303 grant designated for the “Implementation Science for Targeted Violence Prevention,” criticized for allegedly labeling conservative viewpoints as extremist.
• A $1,934,902 grant for the “Blue Campaign Program Evaluation and Violence Advisement,” which Noem’s office claims has been biased in its public health messaging.

Federal Oversight and Criticism

This action follows a broader scrutiny initiated by previous Trump administration policies, which included freezing $2.2 billion in federal funding to Harvard and calling for its tax-exempt status to be revoked. Trump himself has publicly condemned Harvard’s faculty and leadership, accusing them of promoting divisive ideologies.

The DHS made this move as part of a larger federal initiative to address antisemitism on college campuses, particularly following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israel. The emphasis on accountability comes as the institution continues to face backlash regarding protests and rhetorical incidents perceived as antisemitic.

Harvard’s Financial Position

Despite the revocation of these grants, Harvard stands among the wealthiest universities worldwide with an endowment of $53.2 billion. The DHS argues that with such substantial resources, Harvard should not rely on federal funding if it cannot adhere to established guidelines for conduct and accountability.

As investigations continue, the Department of Education has initiated a review of more than $255 million in federal contracts and nearly $9 billion in grants associated with Harvard and its affiliates.

Call for Action

Education Secretary Linda McMahon has expressed her concern regarding Harvard’s management of campus antisemitism and the promotion of polarized ideologies, stating that the university’s reputation is now at stake.

This development comes shortly after similar actions against Columbia University, indicating a federal push to ensure compliance with civil rights and national security standards among higher education institutions.