Former President Obama has called the Trump administration's freeze on Harvard funding 'unlawful' and praised the university for rejecting the attempt to stifle academic freedom. Other US political figures and university officials are also speaking out against the administration's attempts to reshape top universities. Many universities receive federal funding for scientific research, but some of this funding has been paused to pressure universities to take steps to fight antisemitism. Stanford University has had to freeze hiring and cut budgets due to shrinking federal funds. Despite criticism, Trump threatened to revoke Harvard's tax-exempt status.