The federal task force is threatening to cut all Harvard funds for alleged violations of the rights of Jews and Israeli students.
US President Donald Trump has accused Harvard of violating the civil rights of Jews and Israeli students, and threatened to cut off all federal funds to the institution.
Monday’s announcement is the latest Trump administration lawsuit against the oldest university in the United States after the agency rejected an earlier request to change its business.
In a letter sent to Harvard President Alan Gerber, the federal task force stated that “Harvard University is intentionally indifferent and others are intentional participants in anti-Semitic harassment of Jews, faculty and staff.”
The letter went on to say that while most of Harvard Jewish students felt they were suffering from discrimination on campus, they felt physically unsafe for the quarter.
Additionally, if Harvard did not change courses, it threatened further funding practices.
“If we don’t immediately implement the appropriate changes, all federal funding will be lost and we will continue to affect Harvard’s relationship with the federal government,” he said without elaborating on what reforms are needed.
In a statement, Harvard opposed the allegations.
The university said it had taken “substantial and aggressive measures” to combat anti-Semitism on campus and made “great progress in combating prejudice, hatred and prejudice.”
“We are aware that this work is ongoing, rather than facing this challenge,” he said, adding that “we are committed to ensuring that Jews and members of the Israeli community are embraced, respected and thrive at Harvard.”
At a later White House briefing, spokesman Caroline Leavitt said that debate between the Trump administration and Harvard University was happening “closed room” but did not provide further details.
Protest against Israeli war against Gaza
US universities have faced controversy over allegations of anti-Semitism on campus since last year’s eruption of national student protests against Israeli war with Gaza.
Trump called such protests “illegal” and denounced participants as anti-Semitic. However, protest leaders, including Jewish students, have described their actions as a peaceful response to Israel’s actions that have elicited concerns about human rights abuses, including genocide.
The Trump administration has frozen about $2.5 billion in federal grants to Harvard, moves to block international students’ registrations, threatening to remove tax-free status.
Harvard University called for an end to all positive behavior in faculty employment and student hospitalization, and disbanding student groups that promote what it calls criminal conduct and harassment.
They also called for changes to the admission process “to prevent recognition of international students who are hostile to American values,” including those who “protect terrorism and anti-Semitism.”
Harvard rejected these requests, suing the administration, calling its actions “retaliation” and “illegal.”
The Trump administration is also chasing top colleges, including Columbia, Cornell and Northwestern.
In early March, Columbia’s protest camps were copied by university students across the country – cut federal funds of $400 million from the budget.
The school later agreed to a list of requests from the Trump administration. These include changes to disciplinary rules and reviews of the Middle East Studies Program.
Separately, University of Virginia President James Ryan said last week that the Trump administration chose to step down rather than fight the US government as it investigated school diversity, equity and inclusive efforts.
Around the same time, the Trump administration began investigating employment practices in the University of California system. It registered nearly 300,000 students to determine whether it violated the federal anti-discrimination laws.
Meanwhile, the university says the actions of the Trump administration threaten academic and speech, as well as critical scientific research.
