The Trump administration has initiated steps to terminate all remaining federal contracts with Harvard University, according to a letter sent to federal agencies on Tuesday.
The move is the latest in a series of actions taken by the US administration to exert pressure on the prestigious Ivy League institution, report agencies.
The letter, issued by the US General Services Administration (GSA), instructs all federal agencies to review their existing contracts with Harvard and take action to either cancel or reallocate them. The total value of these contracts is estimated to be around $100 million.
This escalation comes amid growing tension between the Trump administration and Harvard over university governance and admissions policies. The administration has criticized Harvard for rejecting demands to overhaul its internal policies and governance strategies. In retaliation, the administration has already revoked nearly $300 million in federal research grants allocated to the university.
Additionally, the Trump administration recently moved to revoke authorization for admitting international students at Harvard. The university currently has around 6,800 international students, accounting for approximately 27% of its total student population.
A federal judge in Boston issued a temporary injunction last Friday, barring the Department of Homeland Security from canceling international student admissions until a hearing, scheduled for Thursday. During a brief court session on Tuesday, a Justice Department attorney confirmed the administration is complying with the court’s order and is considering its next steps.
In a related development, the Trump administration has implemented a halt on all new student visa interviews at US embassies and consulates as it considers a policy to mandate social media screening for foreign applicants, officials confirmed.
These actions have sparked protests. On Tuesday, hundreds of demonstrators — including students and faculty — gathered on the Harvard campus to protest the funding cuts and show support for international students.
The GSA’s letter also accused Harvard of maintaining discriminatory admissions practices. The university has historically considered race as a factor to promote diversity in its admissions process. However, in 2023, the US Supreme Court ruled to end affirmative action in higher education, challenging such practices.
An administrative official familiar with the matter said federal agencies have been given until June 6 to submit a list of contracts proposed for cancellation.
This latest federal directive is seen as part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to undermine Harvard’s financial standing and global influence amid ongoing ideological clashes.