Secretary of Education Linda McMahon unloaded on Harvard University President Alan Garber in a letter this week that sharply criticized the Ivy League school’s handling of antisemitism on campus.
McMahon also advised Harvard officials not to seek future federal grants, warning they would no longer “be provided.”
In the letter, McMahon also emphasized that the federal government has a “sacred responsibility” to protect American taxpayers, pointing out that Harvard already enjoys a mostly tax-free $53.2 billion endowment while receiving billions annually in taxpayer funds.
“Receiving such taxpayer funds is a privilege, not a right,” she wrote. “Yet instead of using these funds to advance the education of its students, Harvard is engaging in a systemic pattern of violating federal law. Where do many of these ‘students’ come from, who are they, how do they get into Harvard, or even into our country – and why is there so much HATE? These are questions that must be answered, among many more, but the biggest question of all is, why will Harvard not give straightforward answers to the American public?”
She also said the university has “made a mockery” of the higher education system in the U.S. by inviting foreign students to its campuses who engage in violent behavior and show contempt for America.
McMahon’s full letter below:
Dear @Harvard: pic.twitter.com/XmMimXfkX0
— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) May 5, 2025
“The above concerns are only a fraction of the long list of Harvard’s consistent violations of its own legal duties. Given these and other concerning allegations, this letter is to inform you that Harvard should no longer seek GRANTS from the federal government, since none will be provided,” McMahon later wrote. “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.
“You have an approximately $53 billion head start, much of which was made possible by the fact that you are living within the walls of, and benefiting from, the prosperity secured by the United States of America and its free-market system you teach your students to despise,” she added.
“The proposed common-sense reforms – which the Administration remains committed to – include a return to merit-based admissions and hiring, an end to unlawful programs that promote crude identity stereotypes, disciplinary reform and consistent accountability, including for student groups, cooperation with Law Enforcement, and reporting compliance with the Department of Education, Department of Homeland Security, and other Federal Agencies,” McMahon said. “The Administration’s priorities have not changed, and today’s letter marks the end of new grants for the university.”
Harvard confirmed to Fox News Digital that it received a letter from the administration on Monday.
“Today, we received another letter from the administration doubling down on demands that would impose unprecedented and improper control over Harvard University and would have chilling implications for higher education,” a Harvard spokesperson said. “Today’s letter makes new threats to illegally withhold funding for lifesaving research and innovation in retaliation against Harvard for filing its lawsuit on April 21.
More over at Fox News:
Linda McMahon blasts Harvard in scathing letter telling elite university it will no longer get federal grants https://t.co/A5QAlOZjL2
— Fox News Politics (@foxnewspolitics) May 6, 2025
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