President Donald Trump has launched a public attack against U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs, who is overseeingHarvard University lawsuit against his administration regarding frozen federal funding.
According to Politico, the case centers around Harvard’s attempt to recover more than $2 billion in funding after the Trump administration started reviewing approximately $9 billion in grants and contracts. The review was initiated following accusations that Harvard violated Jewish students’ rights during protests related to the Israel-Hamas war.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump criticized Judge Burroughs, calling her “a TOTAL DISASTER” even before she made her ruling. He stated that she “has systematically taken over the various Harvard cases” and represents “an automatic ‘loss’ for the People of our Country.”
Federal government demands Harvard to make significant changes
The conflict escalated after Harvard rejected demands from a federal antisemitism task force in April. The task force’s letter required Harvard to make extensive changes to its governance, diversity programs, and hiring and admissions policies to maintain its federal funding.
Harvard, with a $53B endowment, is suing for 'free' $2.4B in taxpayer funds!
— Marcos TorresClaims Trump’s cuts over antisemitism are ‘unfair.’ Entitlement much?
#HarvardLawsuit #TaxpayerMoney https://t.co/blCsjgW60U https://t.co/fK9c98nyEn
(@marcosatorres) July 22, 2025
The Trump administration has accused Harvard and other universities of violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act in their handling of anti-Israel protests on campus. The university is currently under investigation by multiple federal agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Education, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Judge Burroughs, who was appointed by former President Barack Obama in 2014, heard arguments in the case on Monday morning. This hearing marks the latest development in ongoing tensions between the university and the White House. Trump has already declared his intention to appeal if the judge rules against his administration, continuing his pattern of challenging legal decisions. This approach mirrors his strategy in other high-profile cases where he has faced significant financial penalties and legal consequences, often using appeals to delay resolution.
This is not the first time Judge Burroughs has ruled on a case involving Harvard and the Trump administration. Last month, she sided with the university in a separate lawsuit that challenged the administration’s attempt to stop Harvard from sponsoring international students. Harvard President Alan Garber has strongly criticized the administration’s actions, warning that ‘the consequences of the government’s overreach will be severe and long-lasting.’ This pushback against Trump’s authority reflects his ongoing struggle with institutions that challenge his power, similar to his previous battles with New York Attorney General Letitia James over financial accountability.
