The investigation is the latest move by the Trump administration to pressure American universities to change their policies on a number of issues at the heart of culture wars that have beset the U.S.

The move follows the cancellation of roughly $400 million in funding for Columbia and the suspension of $175 million for the University of Pennsylvania.

Harvard University became the latest institution to face federal scrutiny from the Trump administration.

The administration's antisemitism task force launched a "review" of nearly $9 billion of funding tied to Harvard.

Harvard, the wealthiest school in the world, sought compromise amid pressure to do more to combat antisemitism. The Trump administration is examining its funding anyway.

President Trump has ramped up his attacks on the universities and students that he says have abided by growing antisemitism on campus. And that has some Jewish students and professors feeling uneasy.

They began to congregate outside Harvard Yard around 2 p.m., with one organizer passing out “know your rights” cards.

The White House made a similar threat to Columbia University, which recently caved and implemented policies that restrict academic freedom for more funding.

The Trump administration is reviewing more than $8.7 billion in federal grants given to Harvard and more than $256 million in contracts, the latest step in an effort to bring higher education in line with the administration’s priorities.