The actions were taken in the name of antisemitism, as the Trump administration claimed Harvard failed to protect Jewish students, particularly in the wake of the war in Gaza. Harvard rejected the administration’s demands and set the stage for a historic showdown.

A Trump administration probe of Harvard University found the school violated the civil rights of Jewish and Israeli students. Harvard said it "strongly disagrees" with the government's findings. The findings are the latest in a series of moves by the administration targeting Harvard that include the freezing of more than $2 billion in federal grants.

The letter detailed the findings of an investigation into antisemitism on the campus by the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights.