The Trump administration asked a federal appeals court on Monday to revive its effort to terminate more than $2 billion in grants to Harvard University. The Boston-based 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral argument at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time.

The case is a centerpiece of the administration's campaign against elite universities, which the president says are gripped by radical left ideologies. Officials sent Harvard 10 demands in April 2025, including ending diversity, equity and inclusion programs and appointing outside auditors for academic departments.

Harvard President Alan Garber rejected the demands, saying no government should dictate what private universities teach or whom they admit and hire. Within hours, the administration froze federal grants, citing the university's alleged failure to address harassment of Jewish students during campus protests. It ultimately terminated about $2.2 billion in grants.

Harvard sued, calling the freeze retaliation for constitutionally protected speech, and has won several rounds in court. The appeals court will separately review a ruling on Tuesday that barred the administration from stopping Harvard from hosting international students.

The outcome will help decide whether the federal government can use funding as leverage to force change at universities. A ruling is not expected immediately.