Universities and academic groups join forces to fend off Trump’s attacks

Researchers, universities, academic groups and attorneys general from more than a dozen US states are using the legal system to fight back against the Trump administration’s moves to cut billions of dollars from science agencies and research institutions. So far, the courts have been effective in stymying these attacks, which include pulling federal funding from universities, cancelling support for approved grants and terminating thousands of student visas.

After Columbia University yielded to demands from the White House in March, following the administration yanking $400 million (£300 million) in research grants and other funding over the university’s handling of protests against the war in Gaza and alleged antisemitic activities on campus, Harvard University stood firm against similar demands.