Federal State Relations
Votes Roll In for Michelle Wu After Polls Close in Boston’s Uncontested Mayoral Race
Michelle Wu ’07 is poised to cruise to reelection on Tuesday to serve a second term as mayor of Boston, after a first term marked by national attention and opposition to the Trump administration.
Cambridge Signs Amicus Briefs Supporting Illinois, Oregon in Lawsuits Against National Guard Troop Deployments
The City of Cambridge joined two amicus briefs supporting Illinois and Oregon in lawsuits arguing the Trump administration’s deployment of National Guard troops in the two states was unconstitutional.
Harvard’s Congressional Districts Hit Hard By Federal Funding Shutdown
Harvard’s congressional districts have seen the largest funding cuts in Massachusetts as the federal government enters the twenty-seventh day of the shutdown.
In the Fight Over Federal Higher Education Policy, Massachusetts Is a Major Player
In its clash with the Trump administration, Harvard has a powerful ally: the state of Massachusetts.
DOJ Sues Boston and Mayor Michelle Wu ’07 Over Sanctuary City Policy
The lawsuit targets a city policy, the Boston Trust Act, which prohibits police from working with ICE on civil immigration enforcement efforts, including prohibiting police officers from asking immigration status, sharing information with ICE, or “performing the functions of an immigration officer.”
How Cambridge Is Fighting the Trump Administration in Court
The city of Cambridge has joined two lawsuits against the Trump administration’s attempts to condition federal grants on cooperation with immigration agents and the repeal of DEI efforts.
California Governor Gavin Newsom Calls for Garber’s Resignation Over Potential Trump Deal
California Governor Gavin C. Newsom wrote on social media on Tuesdya that Harvard President Alan M. Garber ’76 should resign over reports that the University was nearing a deal with the Trump administration.
Trump Administration To Investigate Harvard’s Patents
The Trump administration on Friday launched an investigation into Harvard’s patents derived from federally funded research, threatening intellectual property potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Harvard Spends Record-High $270,000 on Lobbying in Second Quarter of 2025
Harvard spent $270,000 lobbying the federal government between April and June as it ramped up efforts to counter mounting political and financial pressures from Washington, according to disclosures filed last month.
Federal Funding for the Allston I-90 is in Danger. Faster Progress Might Have Saved It.
A crucial chunk of funding for the decade-in-the-making realignment of the Massachusetts Turnpike in Allston is under threat following the passage of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which eliminates the source of a $335 million grant to the project.
Harvard Pays $90K to Trump-Linked Lobbying Firm in Second Quarter of 2025
Harvard paid lobbying firm Ballard Partners $90,000 in the second quarter of 2025 as the University broadened its federal advocacy to include direct engagement with the White House, according to a disclosure filed Tuesday.
‘Big Ugly Bill’: Mass. Officials Condemn Republican Megabill Ahead of Trump’s Signing
As Republicans’ “One Big Beautiful Bill” makes its way to President Donald Trump’s desk, Massachusetts officials condemned it as cruel and said it would hike costs for the state.
16 States File Amicus Brief Backing Trump Admin Against Harvard’s Federal Funding Lawsuit
A group of 16 Republican-led states asked to file an amicus brief on Sunday in support of the Trump administration against Harvard’s lawsuit over its effort to strip billions of dollars of its federal funding.
20 States Say Federal Research Funding Is Essential in Amicus Brief Supporting Harvard’s Lawsuit
Massachusetts joined a group of 20 states filing an amicus brief on Monday in support of Harvard’s lawsuit against the Trump administration’s funding freeze, calling it a “punitive and unlawful” move that “poses an unprecedented threat to the university.”
Former HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell ’87 To Lead Harvard Board of Overseers
Sylvia M. Burwell ’87 — a former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services — will serve as the next president of Harvard’s Board of Overseers, the University announced Thursday morning.
