16 Republican-Led States Support Trump in Harvard Funding Dispute

CAMBRIDGE, MA — June 23, 2025 Sixteen Republican-led states, spearheaded by Iowa’s Attorney General, have submitted an amicus brief backing the Trump administration’s decision to withhold over $2.7 billion in federal research funding from Harvard University. Filed on Sunday with the court’s permission, the brief argues that the funding pause is a justified consequence of Harvard’s perceived failure to curb antisemitism on campus and comply with federal civil rights law.

The brief dismisses Harvard’s claims that the cuts are retaliatory, describing the university’s defense as an “outrageous attempt” to conceal its alleged noncompliance. The signatories emphasize that if the funding freeze is punishment for policy violations, First Amendment rights are not implicated. It draws on findings from Harvard’s own Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, which reported “alienating and hostile” conditions for Jewish and Israeli students—part of the administration’s rationale for targeting federal funds.

This brief contrasts sharply with support from Harvard’s allies: earlier this month, 20 states and the District of Columbia filed an amicus brief condemning the freeze as “punitive and unlawful,” warning of economic harm to Massachusetts and broader repercussions for scientific research and innovation. Additionally, 18 universities, over 12,000 alumni, and various professional groups have filed briefs in Harvard’s defense, citing threats to academic freedom, job markets, and the broader research ecosystem.

Oral arguments in the case are scheduled for July 21. As partisan lines harden, the court will soon weigh the legality of using federal funding policy to enforce civil rights compliance and address campus antisemitism.

*Sources:
*https://www.thecrimson.com/article/2025/6/23/states-amicus-brief-trump-support-funding/