A United States federal judge has ruled that the administration of President Donald Trump violated the law when it cancelled research grants worth more than $2.2bn to Harvard University .

The Wednesday decision from District Judge Allison Burroughs is a major setback for the Trump administration, which has sought to pressure universities into compliance with policies opposing pro-Palestine protests and diversity initiatives.

In her order, Burroughs explained that the funding cuts ran afoul of the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects free speech.

“The Court vacates and sets aside the Freeze Orders and Termination Letters as violative of the First Amendment,” the order states.

“All freezes and terminations of funding to Harvard made pursuant to the Freeze Orders and T

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