Harvard Under Fire for Alleged Ties to Foreign Adversaries

Republicans in Congress have launched a detailed investigation into Harvard University’s research partnerships and educational collaborations with institutions linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and the Iranian government. The investigation, led by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, reflects growing concerns in Washington about the national security risks of foreign influence in American universities.

On May 19, 2025, three high-ranking Republican lawmakers – Representative John Moolenaar of Michigan, Representative Tim Walberg of Michigan, and Representative Elise Stefanik of New York – sent a 14-page letter to Harvard President Alan Garber demanding full disclosure of the university’s dealings with China and Iran. The letter accuses Harvard of training sanctioned Chinese military-linked individuals, partnering with Chinese military research institutions using U.S. taxpayer funds, and collaborating with researchers backed by the Iranian government.

“These are not isolated incidents—they represent a disturbing pattern that puts U.S. national security at risk,” said Moolenaar. “The Select Committee’s investigation will deliver answers, expose the truth, and hold Harvard accountable to the American people.”

Key Allegations: Ties to China’s Paramilitary and Military Research

The letter focuses heavily on Harvard’s interactions with the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC), a paramilitary organization sanctioned by the U.S. government for its role in the repression and forced labor of Uyghur Muslims in China. Despite these sanctions, Harvard reportedly held executive education events in both 2023 and 2024 through its China Health Partnership that included XPCC officials.

“We are deeply concerned that the services and resources provided through these events may violate U.S. law and could have been deployed by XPCC to further repress the Uyghur people and other minorities in China,” the lawmakers wrote.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury described the XPCC as a “paramilitary organization… subordinate to the Chinese Communist Party” when it placed sanctions on the group in 2020 for human rights abuses.

Harvard originally mentioned the XPCC’s participation in its 2019 training programs, but later removed that reference from its public materials after media inquiries. The university also left out any mention of XPCC participation in the 2023 and 2024 sessions, raising additional concerns among lawmakers.

In addition, the committee identified research collaborations between Harvard and military-linked Chinese universities including Tsinghua, Zhejiang, and Huazhong. These institutions are known to support the Chinese government’s defense technology programs, including artificial intelligence and nuclear research.

“Harvard researchers should not be contributing to the military capabilities of a potential adversary,” the lawmakers wrote. “Collaboration provides [China] with insight into U.S. military priorities.”

The letter went on to warn that when researchers from China are involved in Department of Defense-funded projects at U.S. universities, they “gain valuable knowledge about the scientific areas the DoD considers essential for future warfighting capabilities.”

Iran Connections Also Under Scrutiny

The investigation is not limited to China. Lawmakers are also questioning Harvard’s involvement with researchers who received funding from the Iranian National Science Foundation, which the committee referred to as “an agent of the Iranian government.”

The letter identifies at least four studies since 2020 that were co-authored by Harvard faculty and Iran-funded researchers. “Helping Iranian-government-funded researchers—especially on sensitive scientific topics—is not only inappropriate, it may violate U.S. sanctions,” said Representative Walberg.

The committee also expressed alarm over seven Harvard co-authored studies related to organ transplantation involving researchers from Chinese universities. Lawmakers cited reports that China has used forced organ harvesting from religious and ethnic minorities, particularly Uyghurs. They requested detailed documentation on how Harvard ensures proper oversight and safeguards in these kinds of collaborations.

“Given [China’s] record of human rights abuses in harvesting organs from religious and ethnic minorities, we seek information regarding the oversight and protections that Harvard has put in place,” the letter said.

Potential Consequences: Tax-Exempt Status at Risk

The lawmakers are not just asking for information. They are threatening real consequences if Harvard fails to cooperate or is found to have violated federal law. One major risk is the potential loss of Harvard’s nonprofit tax-exempt status.

“Assisting known, sanctioned paramilitary human rights abusers in developing policy and advancing their foreign military capabilities may undermine Harvard’s nonprofit mission,” the committee warned. Stefanik added, “Harvard University must be held accountable. I demand full transparency and immediate cooperation with the Select Committee’s investigation.”

President Donald Trump has also weighed in. His administration has already pulled over $2.6 billion in federal grants from Harvard, including $450 million in just the last week. In addition, he has threatened to revoke another $1 billion in government funding if the university continues to resist full transparency on its foreign affiliations.

“No American university or college should be assisting the CCP in expanding its influence, oppressing American citizens, or undermining U.S. national security,” said Walberg.

A Pattern of Investigations and Growing Public Pressure

This is not the first time Harvard has faced scrutiny over foreign ties. In 2020, both House Republicans and the Department of Education demanded disclosure of all funding Harvard received from China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Russia. That same year, Harvard chemistry professor Charles Lieber was arrested and later convicted for concealing his involvement with China’s Thousand Talents recruitment program. Lieber has since joined a graduate school in Shenzhen, China.

More recently, Harvard has come under fire for its handling of campus antisemitism, facing criticism from Congress and losing support from some donors. In April, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform launched a civil rights investigation into the university, and the House Judiciary Committee has threatened subpoenas related to tuition price-fixing.

The current investigation into Harvard’s foreign ties adds to an already growing list of political and legal challenges facing the Ivy League school.

What China and Iran Stand to Gain

Lawmakers believe that China and Iran are using partnerships with U.S. academic institutions to bypass direct confrontation and gain access to sensitive knowledge. For China, Harvard provides opportunities to learn about U.S. defense priorities, cutting-edge scientific research, and public health strategy—all under the cover of academic exchange. For Iran, collaborating with prestigious American institutions helps boost its international legitimacy and enables researchers to continue working despite U.S. sanctions.

“These partnerships are not harmless,” Moolenaar warned. “They provide adversaries with both knowledge and credibility they would not otherwise have.”

Harvard’s Deadline Approaches

The lawmakers have demanded internal documents, funding records, and testimony from Harvard faculty, including Professor Winnie Yip of the School of Public Health, by June 2. As the deadline approaches, pressure continues to mount on Harvard to respond.

So far, Harvard has only said that it received the letter. If it does not comply fully, it could face not only public backlash but also serious legal and financial penalties.

As Walberg stated bluntly: “Harvard aided and collaborated with the CCP and the Iranian regime. This is unacceptable. President Garber needs to provide answers to Congress for this colossal failure.