The investigation comes only two days after a federal judge cast doubt on the Trump administration’s argument in Harvard’s lawsuit over federal funding.

“They’ve realized that they can take a bit of a step further, that they can advance their policy priorities through those levers they have through the state university system,” said Preston Cooper, a senior fellow who studies higher education policy at the conservative American Enterprise Institute.

The new office will be a reimagined Harvard Foundation that fulfills our commitment to support all students,” according to an email sent Wednesday by the dean.

A Massachusetts judge hasn't ruled on Harvard's lawsuit against the Trump administration, but she did make some pointed comments on Monday.

Harvard University has appeared in federal court, challenging $2.6 billion in funding cuts by the Trump administration.

Harvard University appeared in federal court Monday in a pivotal case in its battle with the Trump administration, as the storied institution argued the government illegally cut $2.6 billion in federal funding.