President Donald Trump administration has directed agencies to review existing federal contracts with Harvard University, totalling an estimated $100 million.
The directive contained in a letter dated Tuesday, May 27, 2025, issued through the General Services Administration (GSA), targets contracts across nine federal departments, including those related to health research and executive education.
“Going forward, we also encourage your agency to seek alternative vendors for future services where you had previously considered Harvard,” the GSA letter adds.
The federal agencies are required to report by early June which agreements they intend to cancel.
Trump Plan to Cut Harvard Funding
The move is expected to affect contracts across nine federal departments, from health research to executive training programs.
The draft letter accuses Harvard of engaging in discrimination and antisemitism as justification for the move.
“GSA understands that Harvard continues to engage in race discrimination, including in its admissions process and other areas of student life,” the letter signed by federal procurement chief Josh Gruenbaum reads.
The administration further alleges that Harvard has failed to comply with a 2023 Supreme Court ruling that prohibits considering race in admissions, even though Black enrollment at Harvard has decreased from 18% to 14% among first-year students.
“Going forward, we also encourage your agency to seek alternative vendors for future services where you had previously considered Harvard,” the GSA letter added.
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Harvard Barred from Enrolling Foreign Students
The Trump administration moved to end Harvard’s ability to enroll international students.
However, on May 24, 2025, a federal court temporarily halted the Trump administration’s ban on Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students.
According to university data, more than 6,700 international students were enrolled during the last academic year, accounting for 27% of the total student population.
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University Responds
Harvard condemned the move, describing it as unlawful.
“We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard’s ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University and this nation immeasurably,” the university said.
Additionally, the University stated that it was working swiftly to provide guidance and support to its community, warning that the retaliatory action posed a serious threat to both the university and the nation, while also undermining its academic and research mission.
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