The Trump administration is seeking to impose the "biggest financial blow yet" against Harvard University by referring the university for a process known as "debarment," according to a new report.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the Trump administration plans to refer Harvard for debarment over its campus antisemitism policies. Debarment refers to a process that would exclude Harvard from being eligible for federal grant funding, which is one of the largest sources of income for the university.
"Debarment is designed for entities deemed not responsible enough to do business with the government, an administration official said," according to the report. "The White House doesn’t believe that Harvard has sufficiently addressed antisemitism on campus, the person added."
Referring Harvard for debarment doesn't guarantee that the university would be ineligible for federal funding, the report stated. The Trump administration first needs to suspend the university from federal funding programs, which could last up to a year. During that time, the administration would need to review whether Harvard should be permanently banned.
Harvard also has 20 days from the date of its notice of debarment to request an official hearing, WSJ reported.
"Harvard and the Trump administration have been in talks to resolve months of the government’s pressure tactics over what it says are antisemitism and diversity-related concerns," the report continued. "President Trump has said that he wants no less than $500 million from Harvard."