Harvard vs. Trump: A Timeline of Escalating Federal Pressure on America’s Top University

Harvard University scored another win in its ongoing battle with the Trump Administration on Thursday when a federal judge temporarily blocked a presidential proclamation seeking to bar international students from entering the U.S. to study at the school. 

President Donald Trump pointed to national security concerns in his Wednesday proclamation, saying that the entry of such students would be “detrimental to the interests” of the country because “Harvard’s conduct has rendered it an unsuitable destination for foreign students and researchers.” 

U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs issued the temporary restraining order, saying if it weren’t granted Harvard would “sustain immediate and irreparable injury before there is an opportunity to hear from all parties.” 

Oral arguments for the case are set for mid-June.  

The proclamation came after a federal judge blocked previous attempts by federal officials to revoke the higher education institution’s certification to enroll international students under the Student Exchange Visa Program (SEVP), which signalled a sharp escalation in the Administration’s campaign to remake higher education and isolate institutions that resist.

Trump claimed in announcing the move on Wednesday that Harvard failed to adequately reply to recent Department of Homeland Security requests regarding information about foreign students' “illegal” and “dangerous and violent” actions. “Harvard provided data on misconduct by only three students, and the data it provided was so deficient that the DHS could not evaluate whether it should take further actions,” the proclamation says. 

The requests joined a mounting list of the Administration's demands, which also include Harvard eliminating all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, overhauling leadership and hiring practices, and complying with new rules on student discipline and faculty oversight. In addition to seeking to bar the university from enrolling international students, the Administration has also moved to slash its government funding in the face of its refusal to accede to the demands. Harvard is fighting back, filing a lawsuit against the Administration in April and a second in May.

“The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights,” attorneys representing Harvard wrote in an April letter to federal officials. “Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government.”

Here’s a timeline of how the confrontation between Harvard and the Trump Administration has escalated:

March 31: Grant review of Harvard 

The Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and the U.S. General Services Administration announced on March 31 that it would be reviewing the federal contracts and grants issued to Harvard to ensure compliance with its “civil rights responsibilities.” The review includes an assessment of the $255.6 million in contracts and more than $8.7 billion in multi-year grants. 

The review was launched as part of the Administration’s antisemitism task force, which was created following the scores of pro-Palestinian protests and encampments that arose on college campuses in spring 2024. 

April 11: Letter issued to Harvard 

Federal officials sent a letter to Harvard on April 11 with a number of provisions the university needed to comply with in order to maintain a “financial relationship with the federal government.” 

Officials gave the university until August 2025 to commit to: changing their leadership reforms to reduce power held by students and untenured faculty; securing merit-based hiring practices without taking into account an individual’s race or other identification category; adopting “viewpoint diversity” across each department, field, and the student body; and discontinuing DEI programs and offices. 

Harvard was also asked to immediately reform its student discipline rules—including the adoption of a mask ban—and investigate all student violations regarding the sit-ins and protests that have occurred on-campus. Officials said that the university should also comply with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and share information as necessary. 

April 14: Harvard’s response to the Administration 

Harvard rejected the demands, arguing they overstep legal bounds. 

“Harvard remains open to dialogue about what the university has done, and is planning to do, to improve the experience of every member of its community. But Harvard is not prepared to agree to demands that go beyond the lawful authority of this or any administration,” attorneys wrote.

April 16: DHS threatened to terminate Harvard’s ability to enroll international students

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced that the Administration  would be cancelling two grants totalling more than $2.7 million to Harvard. She also warned that the university risked  losing its ability to enroll international students—which made up 27.2% of the student body for the 2024-2025 school year. 

April 21: Harvard files a lawsuit against the Trump Administration

The university sued the Administration, citing violations of the First Amendment and alleging improper procedures in cutting grant funding.

The university argued that the grant cancellation puts Harvard’s independence, and critical research at-risk. 

April 22: Harvard joins other colleges in joint letter against ‘government intrusion’ 

The American Association of Colleges and Universities released a statement on April 22 addressing the "unprecedented government overreach and political interference” they say is endangering higher education in the U.S. The letter asserted the belief that higher education institutions have the right to control school curriculum, students, and staff. 

Harvard University President Alan Garber signed onto the letter, along with 611 other leaders in the higher education space. 

May 2: Trump moves to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status 

President Trump announced he would rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt status. “It’s what they deserve,” the President wrote on Truth Social, his social media platform. 

A spokesperson for Harvard said that there was “no legal basis to rescind Harvard’s tax-exempt status,” in a statement to TIME. 

May 5: Harvard to lose opportunity for new federal research grants 

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon informed Harvard it would no longer be eligible for new research grants, citing noncompliance with federal law. “Harvard should no longer seek GRANTS from the federal government, since none will be provided,” she wrote in a letter to the university. “Harvard will cease to be a publicly funded institution, and can instead operate as a privately-funded institution, drawing on its colossal endowment, and raising money from its large base of wealthy alumni.” 

May 12: Harvard President responds to McMahon

Garber wrote in response to McMahon, stating that Harvard’s attempts to realize the goal of ending antisemitism and bigotry on its grounds are being “undermined and threatened by the federal government’s overreach into the constitutional freedoms of private universities.”

May 13: Harvard faces another funding freeze

The Administration’s antisemitism task force announced that it was freezing another $450 million in Harvard’s federal funding. 

May 15: Department of Energy pulls Harvard grant

The Department of Energy announced the end of an $89 million grant Harvard had received for scientific research, citing the university’s alleged “racial discrimination.” 

May 22: DHS revokes Harvard’s ability to enroll international students 

DHS announced that it was terminating Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor program certification. The move would ban the university from enrolling new foreign-born students and also force current international students—who comprise a significant portion of Harvard’s student body—to transfer schools. 

“This Administration is holding Harvard accountable for fostering violence, antisemitism, and coordinating with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus,” said Secretary Noem in a statement. “It is a privilege, not a right, for universities to enroll foreign students and benefit from their higher tuition payments to help pad their multibillion-dollar endowments.”

May 23: Harvard files second lawsuit, and judge quickly blocks revocation

Harvard filed another lawsuit against the Administration following its attempt to revoke its student visa certification. A federal judge promptly issued an injunction, allowing Harvard to continue enrolling foreign-born students while the case plays out in the courts. 

May 27: Trump Administration moves to strip Harvard of its remaining federal funding 

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) sent a letter to federal agencies asking them to reevaluate all federal contracts with Harvard and “seek alternative vendors” moving forward. 

May 29: Judge extends block on attempt to revoke Harvard student visa certification 

A federal judge extended the court order allowing Harvard to enroll international students, as many students and faculty engaged in acts of protest against the Administration’s actions at the university’s commencement. Attendees wore white flowers and stickers reading “Without our international students, Harvard is not Harvard” in shows of support for the foreign-born members of the student body. 

June 4: Trump signs proclamation in another effort to bar Harvard international students

Trump attempted, once more, to suspend Harvard student visas. His proclamation sought to bar Harvard international students from entering the country for six months and directed the Secretary of State to review existing F, M, or J visas—which are given to foreign exchange, vocational, and international students who are looking to enroll in a traditional academic program. .