Trump admin appeals judge’s ruling to restore nearly $3B to Harvard

The Trump administration appealed a federal judge's ruling that reinstated nearly $3 billion in research funding to Harvard University, according to a Thursday evening court filing.

The appeal comes months after the Trump administration promised to challenge the September decision , which was finalized in October . That decision allowed funding to flow back to the university.

The case will now go to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

"The federal district court ruled in Harvard's favor in September, reinstating critical research funding that advances science and life-saving medical breakthroughs, strengthens national security, and enhances our nation's competitiveness and economic priorities. We remain confident in our legal position," a Harvard spokesperson said.

• Read more: Trump's war with Harvard: A timeline of everything that's happened so far

The fight between the Trump administration and Harvard began in April when the federal government warned the school could risk losing $9 billion in funding if it did not meet a list of demands that included an overhaul of Harvard's leadership structure, admissions and hiring.

Harvard rejected those demands, saying the administration sought to "invade university freedoms long recognized by the Supreme Court."

Then the fight over funding unfolded, leading to nearly $3 billion in canceled grants over campus antisemitism and the federal government barring the institution from receiving new federal grants .

Other investigations and threats have been made against the institution, some of which have focused on the university's international students, leading to Harvard opening a second lawsuit against the Trump administration.

Federal Judge Allison D. Burroughs wrote in her September decision that the Trump administration's focus on antisemitism as the reason behind freezing billions in research funding was a "smokescreen."

She characterized the administration's efforts to prove the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts lacked jurisdiction in the case as a "red herring."

Perhaps most damning, Burroughs implied that the Trump administration was putting forward "arbitrary" grant terminations in the name of enacting its agenda, "no matter the cost."

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