The U.S. government has subpoenaed Harvard University for documents related to students allegedly involved in pro-Palestinian protests, which the Trump administration has labeled as anti-Semitic. The move marks an escalation in President Donald Trump’s ongoing campaign against elite universities over accusations of political bias and “woke” policies.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has intensified scrutiny of top academic institutions, accusing them of fostering anti-Jewish sentiment and undermining immigration laws. Harvard, in particular, has faced financial penalties and stringent demands for records on foreign students—a group the administration has repeatedly sought to restrict from attending the prestigious university.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the subpoena in a statement Wednesday, citing Harvard’s alleged failure to comply with prior requests. “After many previous demands for information on foreign students, DHS will now enforce compliance through subpoenas,” the agency said.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Harvard of allowing foreign students to “abuse visa privileges by promoting violence and terrorism on campus.” The subpoena orders the university to hand over records, communications, and documents tied to immigration enforcement dating back to January 2020.
Harvard has not publicly responded to the subpoena. The university was among several institutions rocked by protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, which the Trump administration has framed as a national security concern.
Last month, the White House issued a proclamation attempting to bar most new international students from entering the U.S. and threatening visa cancellations for current enrollees. Harvard successfully blocked the policy in court.
International students, who make up 27% of Harvard’s 2024-2025 enrollment, are a key revenue source for the Ivy League school. The administration has already slashed approximately $3.2 billion in federal funding for Harvard and vowed to exclude it from future grants.
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The subpoena is the latest clash between Trump and Harvard, which has resisted demands to submit to federal oversight of its curriculum, hiring, and admissions policies. While other top universities, including Columbia, have acquiesced to administration demands, Harvard remains a focal point in Trump’s broader campaign against higher education.