President Donald Trump accused Harvard University of withholding foreign student records, threatening to revoke billions in federal grants.

Trump Threatens Funding Over Transparency Dispute

President Donald Trump on Monday escalated his standoff with Harvard University, accusing the Ivy League institution of failing to provide records regarding its foreign student population. In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump alleged that Harvard was delaying the release of data essential for national security reviews.

“We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard,” Trump wrote, calling the students in question “radicalized lunatics” and “troublemakers.” He further accused the university of leveraging the legal system to delay the process, stating that “Harvard is very slow in the presentation of these documents, and probably for good reason!”

Trump also floated the idea of stripping Harvard of $3 billion in federal grant money, suggesting that the funds be redirected to trade schools across the country. “What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!” he wrote.

Legal Showdown Over Visa Certification

The dispute intensified last week when U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs issued a temporary restraining order preventing the government from revoking Harvard’s authorization under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The certification allows the university to host international students on F-1 and J-1 visas.

In a letter dated Thursday, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused Harvard of refusing to comply with repeated requests for student data. Noem cited concerns over campus safety, antisemitism, and pro-Hamas sentiment, as well as the university’s use of diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.

“This action should not surprise you,” Noem wrote, stating that Harvard’s continued refusal to submit the required information had led to the loss of its privilege to enroll foreign students. According to her letter, DHS initially made its request on April 16 and followed up twice, receiving what were deemed insufficient responses.

The requested records include detailed disciplinary histories, protest footage, and any material related to threats, violence, or deprivation of rights involving nonimmigrant students within the last five years. Noem gave the university a 72-hour deadline to comply or risk permanent decertification.

Instead of providing the documents, Harvard filed a lawsuit in federal court. The university contends that the administration’s move violates the First Amendment, the Due Process Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act. The complaint also accuses the government of retaliating against Harvard’s refusal to cede control over its academic and institutional policies.

“It is the latest act by the government in clear retaliation for Harvard exercising its First Amendment rights,” the lawsuit argues, noting that over 7,000 visa holders—more than a quarter of the student body—are affected by the threatened revocation.

Judge Burroughs has scheduled a follow-up hearing for Tuesday morning in federal court in Boston to address the ongoing conflict.