Harvard University, the oldest and wealthiest institution of higher learning in the United States, is at the center of a historic legal battle that could reshape how far the federal government can go in disciplining universities. With more than $2.2 billion in federal research funding frozen by the Trump administration, Harvard is now locked in a courtroom standoff that legal experts say may redefine executive power over higher education.
In a hearing held in Boston on April 22, US District Court Judge Allison Burroughs—an Obama appointee—set July 21 as the date for oral arguments. Harvard has requested an expedited decision rather than an immediate restoration of funds, effectively leaving the university without federal research support for at least the next 12 weeks, unless the administration decides to reverse its actions voluntarily.
A political battle disguised as a funding freeze
The Trump administration announced the suspension of Harvard’s funding following what it called a breakdown in talks over campus antisemitism. The administration has warned that failure to protect Jewish students could lead to sanctions. According to CNN, more than 60 other colleges have received similar warnings. Additionally, institutions like Cornell and Northwestern have also seen their funding slashed in related actions.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated, as reported by CNN, “The president has made it quite clear that it’s Harvard who has put themselves in the position to lose their own funding by not obeying federal law.” The administration has also threatened Harvard’s tax-exempt status and its eligibility to host international students.
The lawsuit filed by Harvard names several federal agencies as defendants, including the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, Department of Education, Department of Justice, and others. The university contends that the freeze violates the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) of 1946, which prohibits agencies from taking arbitrary or capricious actions.
Legal arguments center on procedure and free speech
Harvard’s legal team argues that the federal government failed to follow proper procedures outlined in the APA. They say the administration did not give the university an opportunity to correct any alleged violations, as required under the Civil Rights Act of 1964. “This case is about whether an administration can just do whatever it wants to do and punish entities that they perceive as a threat,” said law professor Osamudia James from the University of North Carolina, as quoted by CNN.
The university has also framed the case as a First Amendment issue, accusing the administration of attempting to coerce it into abandoning its academic principles and independence. Harvard retained attorneys William Burck and Robert Hur—both with strong Republican ties—to strengthen its position. As CNN reported, legal analyst Jennifer Rodgers noted that the strategy is aimed at building credibility with the current administration.
Broader implications for American higher education
Observers warn that the stakes go beyond Harvard. More than 160 lawsuits have cited APA violations during Trump’s current term, involving issues ranging from international student deportation to transgender rights. Law professor Ray Brescia from Albany Law School told CNN he believes Harvard’s case is a “slam dunk” on both First Amendment and procedural grounds.
Still, legal experts caution that the final decision may rest with the US Supreme Court. “The outcome won’t necessarily be about whether the judge believes the administration is right on the merits,” said James, as quoted by CNN. “It might just be about whether the agencies followed the proper procedures—and those procedures protect us.”
As legal battles unfold, it is the US taxpayer who will ultimately bear the cost. “Trump doesn’t have to spend a dime on this case. The American taxpayers do,” said professor Michael Gerhardt of the University of North Carolina, according to CNN.

ASSEB HS result 2025: The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB), Division-II (erstwhile AHSEC), is set to declare the Higher Secondary (HS) Final Examination 2025 results tomorrow, April 30, 2025, at 9:00 AM. The announcement was officially confirmed through a notification issued by the Board today, from its headquarters in Bamunimaidam, Guwahati.
Cabinet Minister for Higher Education, School Education, and Tribal Affairs, Government of Assam, Ranoj Pegu, shared the update on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “I am pleased to inform that the Higher Secondary 2025 results for the Arts, Science, Commerce, and Vocational streams will be declared tomorrow (30-04-2025) at 9:00 AM. The ASSEB will issue official notification shortly.” A total of 3,02,420 students appeared in the examinations held during February and March 2025.
Results through PDF gazette and mobile app access
According to the official notification, the results will be published in PDF format through the Results Gazette. The roll numbers of the successful candidates will be listed therein. Students can access their digital marks-sheets via designated websites and through an official mobile app starting from 9:00 AM on April 30, 2025.
The mobile application named “UPOLOBDHA”, available on the Google Play Store, will allow students to both view and download their marks-sheets. The app also provides additional features meant to assist candidates. To download their marks-sheet, students will need to enter their Roll and Number along with their Registration Number (excluding the year of registration). For example, if a student’s Roll is 0012, Number is 20001, and Registration Number is 123456, they must input: Roll: 0012 Number: 20001 Registration Number: 123456
Direct link to the official ASSEB website
Hard copy distribution and rechecking details
The Board informed that hard copies of the Certificate cum Marks-Sheet will be issued to passed candidates at a later date, which will be notified separately. Failed candidates or those who appeared under specific subject categories will not be provided hard copies by default. However, such candidates may apply to the Board office separately to obtain one.
Students wishing to apply for rechecking or obtain scanned copies of their answer scripts may do so via the official ASSEB Division-II website at https://ahsec.assam.gov.in/. The rechecking portal will be made available two days after the result declaration.
Read Also: Board Exam Results 2025 Live Updates
Secretary Narnarayan Nath assured that utmost care has been taken to ensure accuracy in result preparation, adding that, “Any errors detected will be corrected through a corrigendum or addendum, if necessary.”