American Association of University Professors-Harvard Faculty Chapter et al. v. Department of Justice et al.

Docket No.
1:25-cv-10910
District Court
Massachusetts

Goal

  • Block enforcement of an agency action
  • Declaration that agency action is unlawful

Issues

Why this Matters:

Plaintiffs argue that defendants’ freezing of federal grants and contracts to Harvard University based on vague notions of viewpoint discrimination violate the Administrative Procedure Act, the Due Process Clause of the Fifth Amendment, the Spending Clause, the separation of powers principle, the First Amendment, and exceeds executive authority. Harvard relies on federal funding to support medical, scientific, and technological research conducted at its facilities.

Potential Impact:

Loss of federal funding by higher education institutions compromises academic freedom and significantly reduces research operations, thus jeopardizing their ability to conduct critical research.

 

News And Analysis (1)

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Related Litigation

Current Status

Decision issued

Plaintiffs’ Motion for Summary Judgement Granted in Part

Important Date

Status Report Due

Legal Issues

Administrative Procedure Act - Without Observance of Procedure Required by Law, Administrative Procedure Act - Contrary to Law, Administrative Procedure Act - Arbitrary and Capricious, Administrative Procedure Act - Contrary to Constitutional Right, First Amendment - Free Speech Clause, Spending Clause, Separation of Powers, Ultra Vires, Fifth Amendment - Due Process Clause

Amicus Briefs for Neither Party

The Muslim Legal Fund of America

Amicus Briefs for Plaintiff(s)

The Leadership Now Project; Jewish Voice for Peace; Public Citizen

Topic(s)

Funding Termination/Cuts

Date Filed
April 11, 2025
Case Type
Civil
Court Type
District Court
Court
Massachusetts
Judge
Burroughs, Allison D. Appointed By: Barack Obama
Plaintiff(s)
American Association of University Professors-Harvard Faculty Chapter; American Association of University Professors; International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America
Lead Counsel For Plaintiff(s)
Selendy Gay PLLC
Defendant(s)
Department of Justice; Pamela Bondi; Leo Terrell; Department of Education; Linda McMahon; Craig Trainor; Thomas E. Wheeler; Department of Health and Human Services; Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.; Sean R. Keveney; National Institutes of Health; Jayanta Bhattacharya; General Services Administration; Stephen Ehikian; Josh Gruenbaum
Lead Counsel for Defendant(s)
Government