A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s decision to revoke over $2.2bn in research grants to Harvard University, calling the move ideologically driven and a violation of the First Amendment. The court found that claims of addressing campus anti-Semitism were a “smokescreen” for targeting the university.

Harvard had refused to comply with demands to change admissions, disciplinary policies, and diversity programs, arguing the measures threatened academic freedom. Critics said the funding cuts were politically motivated rather than a genuine effort to combat discrimination, according to Al Jazeera.