Trump administration House pushes negotiations with Harvard, expects deal by…: Report

The development came as Harvard — the country's oldest and richest university — has been racking up wins in court as the Trump administration has frozen research funding and sought to block admissions of international students.

Livemint
Updated25 Jun 2025, 09:20 AM IST
Graduating student Jordan Strasser poses for a photograph before Class Day Exercises, part of Harvard University’s 374th Commencement, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, May 28, 2025.
Graduating student Jordan Strasser poses for a photograph before Class Day Exercises, part of Harvard University’s 374th Commencement, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US, May 28, 2025. (REUTERS)

US President Donald Trump's administration is ramping up negotiations with Harvard University and expects a deal by the end of June, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

The development came as Harvard — the country's oldest and richest university — has been racking up wins in court as the Trump administration has frozen research funding and sought to block admissions of international students.

Also Read | Harvard wins second time in court in fight over Trump's foreign students ban

According to the report, Trump's administration expects a deal to land by the end of the month, one official said, and hopes the agreement would make a big enough splash to “basically be a blueprint for the rest of higher education.”

Harvard declined to comment on the report. However, a person close to the university told the Washington Post said Tuesday that Harvard will not compromise its values or its First Amendment rights.

Also Read | Trump says close to making ‘mindbogglingly HISTORIC' deal with Harvard

On Friday, Trump said a deal could be announced "over the next week or so" to end a months-long battle with the Ivy League school, which sued after the administration terminated billions of dollars in grants and moved to bar the school from admitting international students.

Earlier, a federal judge, for the second time, allowed Harvard University to keep hosting foreign students.

US District Judge Allison Burroughs granted the university a preliminary injunction Monday that prevents the government from enacting a June 4 proclamation denying entry to international students planning to attend the school.

The injunction extends an earlier temporary bar.

Also Read | Trump administration may restore funding to Harvard Uni? Education Sec says THIS

Trump's proclamation prohibited foreign nationals from entering the US to study at Harvard or participate in exchange visitor programs for an initial period of six months, and directed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to consider whether to revoke visas of international students already enrolled at Harvard.

President Trump has sought to cut off Harvard’s enrollment of foreign students as part of a pressure campaign seeking changes to governance and policies at the Ivy League school.

Also Read | Who is Anjali Sud? Indian-origin CEO of Tubi elected to Harvard Board

Besides, administration officials also have cut more than $2.6 billion in research grants, ended federal contracts and threatened to revoke the tax-exempt status for the school Trump has derided as a hotbed of liberalism.

(With inputs from agencies)

Stay updated with the latest Trending, India , World and United States news. Follow all the latest updates on Israel Iran Conflict here on Livemint.

Business NewsNewsUs NewsTrump administration House pushes negotiations with Harvard, expects deal by…: Report
MoreLess