A US federal judge has ruled in favor of Harvard University in its lawsuit against the Trump administration, declaring that the federal government’s freeze on billions in research funding was unlawful and politically motivated.

The case centered on the $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in contracts that were halted after Harvard refused to comply with demands issued by Trump officials in April. The administration had ordered the university to curb antisemitism on campus, restrict international student admissions, shutter diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and submit to third-party audits of departments accused of ideological bias.

In her ruling, Judge Allison Burroughs of the US District Court for Massachusetts wrote that the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services used antisemitism “as a smokescreen for a targeted, ideologically motivated assault on this country’s premier universities.”

Burroughs emphasized that while Harvard was slow to address antisemitism, it is now taking corrective measures. She stressed that “fighting hate must not come at the cost of free speech and academic freedom,” adding that courts have a duty to ensure federally funded research is not arbitrarily jeopardized by political agendas.

By granting Harvard summary judgment, Burroughs resolved the case without a trial, siding with the university’s claim that the freeze violated the First Amendment, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, and the Administrative Procedure Act.

The White House dismissed the ruling, arguing that “Harvard does not have a Constitutional right to taxpayer dollars” and insisting the university remains ineligible for future grants. The Education Department also criticized the decision, calling it a predictable move from an Obama-appointed judge.

The ruling marks a significant victory for Harvard, reinforcing the principle that academic freedom and federally funded research cannot be subjected to arbitrary political interference.