The Trump administration has taken a bold step in escalating its confrontation with Harvard University by initiating efforts to cancel all remaining federal contracts with the institution.
The move comes amid deepening disputes over student admissions practices, handling of antisemitism on campus, and transparency over records related to foreign students.
GSA Issues Directive to Review Harvard Agreements
According to a letter obtained by Fox News, the General Services Administration (GSA) is directing all federal agencies to reevaluate contracts with Harvard and seek alternative service providers.
The estimated value of the remaining agreements is approximately $100 million. The letter, authored by Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, accuses Harvard of continued racial discrimination in admissions and failure to address antisemitic incidents.
The contracts in question span a variety of services, including a $527,000 deal for Harvard ManageMentor Licenses from 2021, a $523,000 research contract on dietary impacts awarded in August 2023, and a $39,000 graduate student research services agreement from April 2025.
Gruenbaum pointed to admissions disparities cited in a recent lawsuit, noting that African-American applicants in the top academic decile were admitted at a rate of 56%, compared to 13% for Asian applicants and 15% for white applicants.
He also mentioned that Harvard now offers a remedial math course for incoming students, which he attributed to the school’s focus on diversity over merit in admissions.
Allegations of Discrimination and Safety Concerns
Beyond the admissions controversy, the letter also outlines alleged violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act regarding hiring and personnel practices at Harvard.
Specific reference was made to internal documentation from the Harvard Law Review, which reportedly reveals discriminatory practices in both article selection and editor appointments.
Gruenbaum’s letter also condemned the university’s response to incidents involving antisemitism on campus. He described a “disturbing lack of concern” for the safety of Jewish students and noted that operations at the university have been severely impacted by protests and harassment.
“Harvard’s ongoing inaction in the face of repeated and severe harassment and targeting of its students… has profoundly alarmed the general public,” Gruenbaum wrote, suggesting that the university’s leadership has failed to protect the rights and wellbeing of its students.
Legal Battles Over Student Visas and Federal Grants
In a separate legal development, Harvard has filed suit in federal court to restore about $3.2 billion in federal grants that the Trump administration has already frozen.
Additionally, the university was granted a temporary restraining order on Friday to prevent the cancellation of its certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). This program allows the university to host international students under F-1 and J-1 visas, and the administration’s revocation would affect over 7,000 students.
A federal court in Boston held a preliminary hearing on Tuesday, with a follow-up session scheduled for Thursday. The outcome could determine whether the university maintains its ability to enroll international students for the foreseeable future.
Trump and DHS Highlight Concerns Over Foreign Student Oversight
President Trump commented on the matter in a Truth Social post, stating that he is
“considering taking Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard, and giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land.” He argued that trade schools represent a more worthwhile investment for the American people.
Trump also criticized the university for allegedly delaying the release of documents related to its foreign students, and for seeking favorable judicial review of the federal actions.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that Harvard’s SEVP certification was revoked due to its failure to comply with repeated requests for student records.
According to DHS, the records requested include audio and video footage of threatening or violent conduct involving foreign students, as well as disciplinary records and documentation of protest activity.
Noem asserted that Harvard had not adequately responded, prompting the administration’s decisive action.
