Nevada Attorney General Aaron D. Ford has joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in supporting Harvard University's legal challenge against the Trump Administration's decision to freeze over $2 billion in federal funding. The group filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, backing Harvard's motion for summary judgment against several federal agencies.
AG Ford stated, "The attack on Harvard University’s funding stream is both a destructive attempt to hobble one of our nation’s premier learning institutions and a glimpse at how the Trump administration will handle dissent." He emphasized that he could not remain passive while this situation unfolded, citing potential negative impacts on higher education nationwide and in Nevada.
The brief argues that the funding freeze poses a significant threat to Harvard and could have severe economic repercussions for states with research institutions if similar actions were taken against them. It highlights that university research spending significantly contributes to local economies. For instance, research spending at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) added $194.1 million to Nevada's economy in fiscal year 2024.
Additionally, the coalition warns that targeting funding could lead to various adverse effects, including loss of opportunities and training for researchers, potential "brain drain" as talented individuals might move abroad, harm to intellectual property and business development, and negative impacts on local and state economies.
The amicus brief was led by Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. Other participating attorneys general are from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.