As tensions escalate between the Trump administration and Harvard University, the U.S. Department of Education has formally requested that Harvard submit detailed records of money received from foreign countries. The Wall Street Journal reported on April 18 that the department found Harvard’s existing reports on foreign funding—spanning from 2014 to 2019—to be “incomplete and inaccurate,” and has now demanded records going back a full decade.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated, “This request is the first step to prevent Harvard from being controlled by or following the direction of foreign entities.” Under federal law, universities in the United States must report semi-annually any foreign donations, grants, or contracts exceeding $250,000.
Harvard responded in a public statement, asserting that it has complied with these legal requirements: “In accordance with the law, Harvard University has been submitting reports containing information on donations and contracts from foreign sources exceeding $250,000.” The university added that these include funding for business education programs, academic collaborations, and scholarly publications.
This development follows President Donald Trump’s growing criticism of Harvard for its refusal to align with his administration’s policies. On April 14, Harvard declined to implement changes requested by the White House, which included measures aimed at addressing anti-Semitism on campus. In response, the administration quickly announced plans to freeze more than $2 billion in federal grants to the university.
The Trump administration has since escalated its stance, threatening to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status and withdraw the certifications that enable it to host international students. These moves mark a significant intensification in the administration’s campaign to pressure elite academic institutions that it accuses of political opposition and lack of transparency in foreign engagements.