Recommendations of the Editorial team
The Trump government had frozen over $ 2 billion in funding for Harvard University due to alleged anti-Semitic incidents. A Federal Supreme Court now declared this measure to be illegal. US district judge Allison Burroughs decided on Wednesday that the reduction violated the constitutionally protected freedom of expression. And ordered the important research funds to release again.
Judgment strengthens academic freedom
“We have to fight anti-Semitism. But we also have to protect our rights. In addition to the one on the right to free speech. Harvard is taking the necessary steps against anti -Semitism, albeit late. And be ready to do even more if necessary.
Burroughs continued to emphasize: “Now it is the task of the courts to protect academic freedom and freedom of expression. And to ensure that important research is not arbitrary and without a lawful process of funding stops. Even if this conjures up the government’s anger.”
Harvard President Alan Garber welcomed the decision. “The judgment confirms Harvard’s rights according to the first constitutional and our procedural rights.
White house announces an appeal
A spokeswoman for the White House, Liz Huston, said that Harvard had not protected his students from discrimination for years. And has “no constitutional right to tax money”. The government will appeal against the judgment.
Under the pretext of fighting anti-Semitism in the course of the Gaza War, the Trump government tried to undermine the academic independence of leading US universities. Columbia and Brown have already agreed with the government to get their funds back.
Background of the legal dispute
Harvard had previously accepted the definition of anti -Semitism promoted by the political right. However, it defended itself against further interventions. The government wanted the right to be able to examine attitudes, layoffs and approvals. Otherwise there was a risk of loss of billions.
In April, Harvard sued the Trump government. And accused her of violating the first constitutional additive. “No government – regardless of which party is in power – can dictate what private universities teach, who they record or hire or hire and which research areas they can pursue,” said Garber at the time.
Signal effect of the judgment
With her judgment, judge Burrough’s Trump government prohibited Harvard again with similar funding stops. The cuts were inadmissible retaliation measures for Harvard’s resistance to government claims.
Burroughs warned. “If today’s freedom of speech can be restricted in the name of the Jewish people, then the speech of the Jews – or everyone else – can also be restricted as soon as the political winds turn.”