Harvard is hoping court rules Trump administration's $2.6b research cuts were illegal
A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday.
Enter Email
Sign Up
A second lawsuit over the cuts filed by the American Association of University Professors and its Harvard faculty chapter has been consolidated with the university's.
Advertisement
Harvard's lawsuit accuses President Donald Trump's administration of waging a retaliation campaign against the university after it rejected a series of demands in an April 11 letter from a federal antisemitism task force.
The letter demanded sweeping changes related to campus protests, academics and admissions. For example, the letter told Harvard to audit the viewpoints of students and faculty and admit more students or hire new professors if the campus was found to lack diverse points of view. The letter was meant to address government accusations that the university had become a hotbed of liberalism and tolerated anti-Jewish harassment on campus.
Advertisement
Harvard President Alan Garber pledged to fight antisemitism but said no government 'should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.'
The same day Harvard rejected the demands, Trump officials moved to freeze $2.2 billion in research grants. Education Secretary Linda McMahon declared in May that Harvard would no longer be eligible for new grants, and weeks later the administration began canceling contracts with Harvard.
As Harvard fought the funding freeze in court, individual agencies began sending letters announcing that the frozen research grants were being terminated. They cited a clause that allows grants to be scrapped if they no longer align with government policies.
Harvard, which has the nation's largest endowment at $53 billion, has moved to self-fund some of its research, but warned it can't absorb the full cost of the federal cuts.
In court filings, the school said the government 'fails to explain how the termination of funding for research to treat cancer, support veterans, and improve national security addresses antisemitism.'
The Trump administration denies the cuts were made in retaliation, saying the grants were under review even before the April demand letter was sent. It argues the government has wide discretion to cancel contracts for policy reasons.
'It is the policy of the United States under the Trump Administration not to fund institutions that fail to adequately address antisemitism in their programs,' it said in court documents.
The research funding is only one front in Harvard's fight with the federal government. The Trump administration also has sought to prevent the school from hosting foreign students, and Trump has threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status.
Advertisement
Finally, last month, the Trump administration formally issued a finding that the school tolerated antisemitism — a step that eventually could jeopardize all of Harvard's federal funding, including federal student loans or grants. The penalty is typically referred to as a 'death sentence.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
'Trump's Weak Dollar Dream Will Be A Nightmare' Because His Policies Are 'Highly Inflationary,' Economist Peter Schiff Says
President Donald Trump's views about the dollar are getting strong pushback from economists like Chief Economist and Global Strategist Peter Schiff. 'Trump said he wants a strong dollar but he also wants a weaker dollar. He says a strong dollar makes you feel better, but a weak dollar makes you richer,' Schiff wrote on X last week. He added that although Trump claims he crushed inflation, his policies are highly inflationary, saying, 'Trump's weak dollar dream will be a nightmare.' Don't Miss: Accredited Investors: Grab Pre-IPO Shares of the AI Company Powering Hasbro, Sephora & MGM— 'Scrolling To UBI' — Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones. You can Trump Defends a Weaker Dollar, But Economists Aren't Buying It What caused Schiff's comments is what Trump told reporters at the White House on Friday: 'It doesn't sound good, but you make a hell of a lot more money with a weaker dollar, not a weak dollar, but a weaker dollar than you do with a strong dollar.' Trump argued that a strong dollar 'sounds good' and helps with inflation, but he also said, 'You can't sell tractors, you can't sell trucks, you can't sell anything.' He claimed that countries like China and Japan have long pushed for weaker currencies to dominate global markets. Financial experts, however, warn that Trump's stance could $100k+ in investable assets? – no cost, no obligation. 9i Capital Group Chief Executive Officer Kevin Thompson told Newsweek that while a weaker dollar helps U.S. exporters and multinational corporations, it can be bad news for households. 'The U.S. is a consumer-driven, import-heavy economy,' he said. 'A weaker dollar makes imports more expensive, which can drive inflation. So while there are benefits on the corporate side, it also hurts households by increasing the cost of everyday goods.' Thompson also took issue with Trump's claim that the U.S. has 'wiped out inflation.' 'He's dead wrong,' Thompson told Newsweek. 'We're still seeing elevated prices in areas like energy, particularly piped gas, and in household essentials. Food costs continue to climb, especially meat, and many families are seeing higher utility bills.' The dollar has dropped over 10% this year compared to a basket of foreign currencies. The last time the dollar weakened this much early in a year was has said a weaker dollar could help U.S. manufacturers compete globally and boost tourism. He cited the recent rise in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) shares as an example of how a declining dollar benefits heavy industry. Still, economists caution that a weaker dollar also means Americans pay more when they travel abroad and face higher prices on imported goods. While the president insists his policies are aimed at strengthening the economy, critics argue that continued deficit spending and rising debt are already shaking global confidence in the dollar. As Schiff wrote on X back in May, 'The yield on 10-year Treasuries is back up to 4.5% as the U.S. dollar resumes its broad-based decline. Despite the trade truce, the world is losing confidence in the dollar and our ability to get our fiscal house in order. The consequences of de-dollarization will be profound.' Read Next: How do billionaires pay less in income tax than you?.UNLOCKED: 5 NEW TRADES EVERY WEEK. Click now to get top trade ideas daily, plus unlimited access to cutting-edge tools and strategies to gain an edge in the markets. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? CATERPILLAR (CAT): Free Stock Analysis Report This article 'Trump's Weak Dollar Dream Will Be A Nightmare' Because His Policies Are 'Highly Inflationary,' Economist Peter Schiff Says originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.
New York Post
25 minutes ago
- New York Post
Comedians hit back at liberal critics, claim ‘Late Show' cancellation will lead to even more Trump jokes
Chicago comedians argued on Tuesday that the cancellation of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' will lead to more jokes about President Donald Trump, not fewer, in contrast with liberal critics' concerns. After CBS announced the left-leaning comedian's show being canceled weeks earlier, several people ranging from commentators to lawmakers called out the move as authoritarian, suggesting CBS bent the knee to Trump after recently settling a lawsuit. Though some believed that this could lead to either more censorship or political capitulation, comedians from the windy city, where Colbert had trained in comedy, largely believed the opposite. 'That would go for whoever is the president,' late night host Mark Bazer told the Chicago Sun-Times. 'That's the gig. My guess is there's very few comedians or late-night talk show hosts who are going to bend the knee.' Bazer added that Colbert can now 'take the gloves off' regarding his jokes against Trump without the pressure of maintaining his show. 3 Chicago-based comedians Mark Bazer and James Dugan claim that if anything, there' be more jokes about President Trump after CBS announced 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' will end in May 2026. AP 'We've all seen late-night talk shows over the years. It's a tradition to make fun of whoever's in power, like, that's what the job entails,' Bazer said. Local comic James Dugan, who frequently performs for the Chicago improv show Whirled News Tonight, told the Chicago Sun-Times that his team largely pulls jokes from the headlines, which have heavily featured Trump recently. In fact, he described concerns about an oversaturation of Trump jokes. 'A lot of times with our show in particular, we get four or five newspapers and spread them out,' Dugan said. 3 Many commentators and lawmakers called the move by CBS to cancel Colbert's show as authoritarian, after Paramount recently settled a lawsuit with Trump. 'And there is a little bit of a sense of like, should we take out the Trump stuff? Because people are kind of sick of hearing about it.' However, some comedians are still worried about what Colbert's cancellation could mean for comedy on a larger scale. 'The fact that a sitting public official is doing so much private litigation, and that it results in this type of thing — it's dangerous,' stand-up comic Eunji Kim told the Chicago Sun-Times. 3 Bazer told The Chicago Sun-Times that Colbert doesn't need to worry about making Trump jokes since his show will be ending next year, acknowledging that he can 'take the gloves off.' Despite the timing of the announcement, CBS and its parent company, Paramount, have said that the cancellation was a financial decision, not a political one. Insider sources have also said that the decision was made days before Paramount's settlement with Trump. Colbert himself has not shied away from attacking Trump in the weeks after his show's cancellation. Last week, he told Trump to 'go f— yourself' after the latter celebrated the end of 'The Late Show.'
The Hill
25 minutes ago
- The Hill
GDP numbers buoy Trump
It's Wednesday. Two meteor showers are peaking at the same time! 💫 Here's how you have the best chance to see them. In today's issue: U.S. growth rebounds Powell's 2:30 p.m. interest rate decision Tsunami waves hit Hawaii, California Inside Cory Booker's Senate blowup Katy Perry, Justin Trudeau spotted together Let's talk about the e-con-o-my. Let's talk about you and me: The U.S. economy rebounded in the spring after contracting in the winter, according to data released Wednesday by the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). How this is measured: The U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) — or the value of all goods and services across the economy — rose. This comes after the GDP fell by 0.5 percent in the first quarter while President Trump triggered a trade war. 🚨 Another big metric to watch for today: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell will announce at 2:30 p.m. EDT the Fed's decision on interest rates. Experts aren't expecting a rate change, despite pressure from the president, but there can be surprises. 💻 Watch it live On cue, Trump again this morning pushed Powell to cut rates, arguing there's 'no inflation' in a Truth Social post. 'Let people buy, and refinance, their homes!' Trump said. 🗨️ Follow today's live blog Why the economic rebound is welcome news for the White House: The GDP figures arrive as another metric heads the opposite direction for the president: his approval rating. Trump's net approval rating has reached its lowest point of his second term, according to a new Economist/YouGov poll. His net approval rating is 15 points underwater. 🔎 See the full poll 📆 For your radar: Price data will be released on Thursday, which will give us a good measure of inflation. Plus, the July jobs report will come out on Friday. By the end of the week, we should have a clearer picture of where the U.S. economy stands. Trump unveils India tariffs: President Trump insists he is holding firm on his Aug. 1 start date for the global tariffs to kick in, calling it a 'BIG DAY FOR AMERICA!!!' And he just announced a 25 percent tariff on products imported from India, beginning on Friday. Which of the U.S.'s top trading partners *don't* have a trade deal with Trump yet?: China, Mexico, Canada, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Brazil, Switzerland and Thailand. U.S. and Chinese officials held another round of talks in Stockholm this week ahead of a separate Aug. 12 deadline for tariffs on China. Where each country stands in negotiations, via The Hill's Alex Gangitano 🌏 EARTHQUAKE LATEST The Earth's power is mind-blowing sometimes: Tsunami waves hit Hawaii, California, Washington state, Alaska, Japan and coastal areas of Russia's islands this morning following one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded. What triggered this?: A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake rumbled off the coast of Russia, triggering tsunami warnings across the Pacific. Hawaii had an evacuation order in place but has since downgraded it. ➤ SIGHTS AND SOUNDS 📹 Sirens blaring in Waikiki 📹 Doctors in Russia secured a patient midsurgery 📹 A tsunami hitting a Russian town 📹 Waves hitting the coast of Japan This is wild: Here's a graphic showing the earthquake's effect on the waves. 📹 Check out the map What are the strongest earthquakes ever recorded?: The records only go back to about 1900, but there have been multiple 9.0+ magnitude earthquakes. Here's a list Some practical advice: The Washington Post explains what you should do if you're in a tsunami warning. I must admit, I didn't know all of this. ✅ ON CAPITOL HILL A Senate confirmation that turned some heads: The Senate approved Emil Bove to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, giving the No. 3 DOJ official and former Trump lawyer a lifetime appointment, even amid a series of whistleblower complaints about his conduct. What I mean by 'complaints about his conduct': Bove is currently the subject of three different complaints in recent weeks. Two of those allege he violated court orders. The third alleges he misled Congress on the dropping of bribery charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams. The Senate vote: 50-49. Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Susan Collins (Maine) joined Democrats in voting 'no.' Rebecca Beitsch explains the controversies surrounding Bove. Read it in The Hill ➤ MORE COMINGS AND GOINGS: In: The Senate also confirmed Susan Monarez to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The vote was 51-47. This was Trump's second pick for the role — the CDC hasn't had a permanent leader since March. She's a longtime government scientist who will now be at the helm of an agency Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has upended. Read more Out: 'Vinay Prasad, the top vaccine regulator and chief scientific officer at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and a critic of the agency's COVID-19 policies, has departed after being on the job for less than three months.' An HHS spokesperson wouldn't give a reason for the sudden departure. Read more This was an intense blowup: Sen. Cory Booker (N.J.) unleashed on Democratic colleagues on the Senate floor Tuesday, accusing them of being 'willing to be complicit' with Trump. What prompted the fireworks: Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) tried to move a package of bills that included grants for police departments around the country. But Booker objected, noting the grants wouldn't go to New Jersey and some other Democratic-led states. Then things grew tense: Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) pointed out Booker previously objected — 'long before' Trump was in office — to her own policing legislation, arguing his criticism was broader than he framed it. Klobuchar then jabbed him for missing the committee markup for the bills. 'I don't need lectures on the urgency of this,' Booker fumed. Tensions increased from there. Read more from The Hill's Alexander Bolton. How we got here: Trump signed an order in January freezing federal funding related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Nearly a dozen states, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D), have opposed the funding freeze. What Booker wants: The senator wants Trump to release a hold on funding for Democratic states such as New Jersey, California and New York, arguing the party should use its 'leverage' over funding proposals. ➤ OTHER CONGRESS TIDBITS: Feel better, congressman: Rep. Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) was ' accidentally kicked by a horse ' and broke a rib. Baby Boomer vs. Gen Z: A Gen Z activist launched a primary challenge against longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.). New book in the works: Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) is promising an 'unapologetic account' of his 'unconventional life' in a forthcoming memoir, dubbed 'Unfettered.' Texas electoral maps: Texas Republicans unveiled new congressional maps today. Democrats have voiced alarm over the GOP redistricting plan. MTG won't run for governor: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R) is passing on a Georgia gubernatorial bid. 📧 In today's Evening Report: The redistricting wars are heating up ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, as Texas moves to redraw its maps to make several House races more favorable for Republicans. Click here to sign up & get it in your inbox. Coming Up The House is out. The Senate is in. President Trump is in Washington. (All times EDT) This afternoon: More Senate votes are expected. 📆 Today's agenda 1:30 p.m. Trump signs a bill into law. 2:30 p.m. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holds a news conference. 💻 Livestream 4 p.m. Trump delivers remarks on 'Making Health Technology Great Again.' 💻 Livestream 🐝 INTERNET BUZZ 🍰 Celebrate: Today is National Cheesecake Day. Sooo, Trump wants to prosecute Beyoncé: Last weekend, Trump called for the prosecution of singer Beyoncé. He claimed she was paid $11 million for endorsing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in 2024. Well, CNN fact-checked that claim and it is nonexistent. Read the factcheck and explainer ^ Good luck dealing with the Beyhive's wrath. 😅 🚀 How much do you want to bet they discussed her space trip?: Pop star Katy Perry was spotted dining in Montreal with former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week. A consultant for the restaurant said there were 'no visual signs of PDA or anything.' 📸 Photos from TMZ 👋 AND FINALLY… And to leave you with something useful, open this video any time you're having a bad day.
