Harvard professors sued the Trump administration, violate the funding cuts to violate free speech
Two faculty organizations on Harvard University sued on Friday Tusrap The administration, claiming that it is violating constitutional rights by threatening to cut billions. Federal funds,
The New York Times reported that the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and its Harvard Chapter have challenged the administration’s decision to review around $ 9 billion in federal funds given to the university on alleged antismitism in its premises.
The lawsuit filed in the US district court in Massachusetts argues that this step reduces the free speech and educational freedom under the first amendment. The groups have also requested a temporary preventive order to prevent any immediate withdrawal.
“This is an illegal abuse of the federal authority,” says the lawsuit. Professors argue that the government is using funds as a tool to punish institutions that do not align with President Trump’s views.
The White House has not responded to the trial or has given further comments. Earlier, the administration had accused Harvard of not enough to prevent antisemitic incidents in the campus. It claimed that the university has failed to protect its students and faculty.
The current chairman of Harvard Alan Garber has accepted the concern around antismitism and said that the university has worked hard to address it in the last 15 months. However, no official remarks have been made by Harvard regarding the trial.
Andrew Manual Cresspo, a Harvard Law Professor And the faculty group counsel said that the government’s action is an attempt to limit the academic speech. “The Harvard Faculty has a constitutional right to retaliate, teach and research against its approach without fear that the government can cancel the grant,” Cresspo said.
