• Trump threatens to cut $3 billion in grants to Harvard, redirecting funds to trade schools.
• The administration accuses Harvard of antisemitism and inadequate student oversight.
• A federal judge temporarily blocked Trump's attempt to revoke Harvard's ability to enroll international students.
• Harvard has filed lawsuits against the federal government over funding freezes and student enrollment bans.
• Controversy centers around differing views on diversity, equity, and inclusion at universities.

President Donald Trump escalated his ongoing dispute with Harvard University by threatening to redirect $3 billion in federal grants away from the institution and allocate them to trade schools nationwide. Trump's assertion, made via his Truth Social platform, labeled Harvard as "very antisemitic," underscoring his administration's growing tension with the prestigious Ivy League school. He characterized this potential funding shift as a "great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed," amidst rising demands for vocational training programs across the country, according to aa and Reuters.

The backdrop of these threats includes Trump's broader campaign against Harvard’s policies, especially its stance on international students and diversity programs. Last week, the administration attempted to block the university from enrolling foreign students, which has been met with significant legal challenges. A federal judge temporarily halted this action, granting a reprieve to the university's international student body, which constitutes a substantial portion of its enrollment, according to The Hill, Channel News Asia, and Newsweek.

Trump criticized Harvard for delaying the submission of foreign student lists, which he claims are necessary to identify potential security threats. He emphasized his expectation that the government would ultimately prevail in its legal confrontations with the university, asserting, "Have no fear, the Government will, in the end, WIN!" The conflict encompasses broader themes of governmental interference in academic freedom and a push against perceived liberal ideologies in higher education, as discussed in articles from HuffPost and Business Insider.

The Trump administration’s actions against Harvard are part of a broader trend of scrutinizing elite universities, which Trump has accused of promoting leftist ideologies and failing to appropriately address issues of antisemitism and discrimination among students. Following Trump's announcement of potential funding cuts, Harvard has filed multiple lawsuits to challenge the administration's legal strategies, emphasizing its commitment to academic independence and constitutional rights, according to India Times and CBS News.