These 16 states are supporting the Trump admin in lawsuit with Harvard
Sixteen Republican-led states are supporting the Trump administration in a lawsuit between the federal government and Harvard University over cuts to federal funding.
'There are apparently three constant truths in American life: death, taxes and Harvard University's discrimination against Jews,' the states' attorneys general said.
The statement of support comes after reports that the Trump administration and Harvard were circling toward a deal after months of challenges.
Read more: Alums urge Harvard to resist compromise with Trump as reports of deal emerge
In April, the Trump administration demanded an overhaul of Harvard's leadership structure, admissions and hiring. If the university didn't comply, it risked losing $9 billion in funding, the federal government said.
The actions were taken in the name of antisemitism, as the Trump administration claimed Harvard failed to protect Jewish students, particularly in the wake of the war in Gaza.
Harvard rejected the administration's demands and set the stage for a historic showdown, leading to one lawsuit over the funding cuts and another centered on Harvard's ability to enroll international students. It also led to a series of other funding cuts and cuts to research funding.
The university has so far largely prevailed in court in lawsuits against the Trump administration, with a federal judge granting a preliminary injunction on Friday, allowing Harvard University's international students to continue attending school until the legality of the case is decided.
The attorneys general argue in the statement of support that the court should side with the Trump administration and allow it to continue with funding cuts because Harvard hasn't contended with issues of antisemitism on campus and is violating federal antidiscrimination law.
'The federal government need not continue to shower benefits on institutions that continue to practice illegal discrimination,' the amicus brief reads.
The states included in the amicus brief are:
Alaska
Arkansas
Florida
Georgia
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
North Dakota
Oklahoma
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
The attorneys general cited the university's published report from its Task Force to Combat Antisemitism as a basis for the hostile encounters Jewish people have faced.
'Harvard could easily enforce its own rules and policies to stop the virulent antisemitism on its campus. Doing so would protect the vital research, education, and more that, according to Harvard itself, relies on federal grants and subsidies. Yet it chooses to place that research and education at risk to instead protect virulent antisemitism,' the attorneys general said.
Read more: Over 12,000 Harvard alums lend weight to court battle with Trump in new filing
While the 16 states have sided with the federal administration, there has also been immense support for Harvard.
Supporting Harvard in its lawsuit are over 12,000 alumni as well as other individuals and groups such as two dozen universities, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, the American Civil Liberties Union, the American Council on Education, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression — also known as FIRE — and Columbia Alumni for Academic Freedom.
Alums urge Harvard to resist compromise with Trump as reports of deal emerge
'Devastating': 10 Harvard researchers detail 'essential' work set to be cut by Trump
Federal judge halts Trump's plans to keep Harvard from enrolling foreign students
Harvard researcher's work gives 'hope' for Parkinson's. But the feds cut his funding
These US colleges are among the top 100 best global universities, US News says
Read the original article on MassLive.
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