IRS sued by watchdog group for records on Trump's attacks on Harvard
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"Our lawsuit seeks to compel the IRS, the Department of Treasury and Department of Education to release records that they're unlawfully withholding from the public," Chioma Chukwu, executive director of American Oversight, told NPR. "The documents that underlie this lawsuit could reveal potential political interference by the president in agency operations."
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In April, the Trump administration froze more than $2.2 billion in university grants after Harvard rejected the White House's demands that it eliminate DEI programs, screen international students, and ensure "viewpoint diversity" in its hiring. In May, the White House said it would cut another $450 million in grants to Harvard, and Trump insisted the school should lose its tax-exempt status.
But the law bars the executive branch from using the Internal Revenue Service to target any particular taxpayer. Harvard has also sued the administration over its actions.
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"Ultimately, this is about President Trump using the levers of the federal government to punish his critics and silence anyone who pushes back against his unlawful agenda," Chukwu said. "Today it's Harvard. Tomorrow, it can be any university, any nonprofit or foundation that stands up for the public good."
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https://www.npr.org/2025/05/19/g-s1-67525/harvard-trump-irs-lawsuit