(CNN) --

The Trump Administration's Decision

The Trump administration unveiled new steps to target federal funding to Harvard University, announcing Monday that it is cutting off all new federal research grants. The move marked the administration's latest effort to demand political policy changes from the elite university amid a major clash over academic freedom, federal funding and campus oversight.

Education Secretary's Letter

Education Secretary Linda McMahon sent a letter to Harvard President Alan Garber Monday evening conveying that the university is not eligible for grants from the federal government due to its "consistent violations of its own legal duties."

Ongoing Issues with the University

The letter cites ongoing issues between the university and the administration, such as affirmative action and protesting on campus, as well as criticizing the temporary removal of standardized testing like the SAT or ACT, which was reinstated in April 2024, and overall management of the university. "In every way, Harvard has failed to abide by its legal obligations, its ethical and fiduciary duties, its transparency responsibilities, and any semblance of academic rigor," McMahon's letter says, adding the university "has made a mockery of this country's higher education system."

Harvard's Response

Harvard denounced the administration's announcement. The demands "would impose unprecedented and improper control" on the university and "would have chilling implications for higher education," a Harvard spokesperson said in a statement. "Harvard will continue to comply with the law, promote and encourage respect for viewpoint diversity, and combat antisemitism in our community," the statement said. "Harvard will also continue to defend against illegal government overreach aimed at stifling research and innovation that make Americans safer and more secure."

Future Implications of Federal Funding Cut

The letter from the Trump administration said if Harvard doesn't work to remedy the issues they listed, that any public funding related to the university will stop. "Harvard will cease to be a publicly funded institution