The Trump White House froze over $2 billion in funding grants from Harvard University over such alleged offenses as campus activism, objectionable curriculum, antisemitism, DEI leanings and the high proportion of foreign students among the student body.
Harvard’s leadership recently received a letter from the Trump administration instructing the university to end its diversity, equity and inclusion programs and cooperate with immigration authorities in pursuit of pro-Palestine visa students. Otherwise, they could lose up to $9 billion in federal grants.
University president Alan Garber refused to bend to the government’s demands, citing their constitutional rights and maintaining independence, which from there Trump pushed for the IRS to suspend their tax-exempt status.
The administration’s prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government. It violates Harvard’s First Amendment rights and exceeds the statutory limits of the government’s authority under Title VI. And it threatens our values as a private institution devoted to the pursuit, production, and dissemination of knowledge. No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.
Harvard University President Alan Garber
Trump began his battles against universities with Ivy League schools, beginning with Columbia when he stripped them of $400 million in grant funding vital to their research projects, after which the university caved to many of his demands by striking a deal. Despite folding, the university is still waiting to get their money back.
Author Commentary
In many ways it’s Harvard that is the perfect institution to take up this fight on behalf of colleges around the country, being the oldest and wealthiest university with an endowment fund north of $50 billion. Harvard has the means to withstand Trump’s assault with enough revenue to defend itself, but they could also have the most to lose.
The White House is attempting to force universities to comply with Trump’s political agenda, controlling what they can teach while imposing on their right to free speech. They also seek to put their endowments under a microscope and review records of visa holders enrolled as students/professors. Among the casualties of Trump’s demands would be curtailing intellectual discussions and stopping valuable research (including the fact so many medical and scientific breakthroughs have been achieved) in their tracks as critical evolving knowledge could be permanently lost, along with driving away the best and the brightest from all over the world.
Standing up to a bully might be the best strategy. Harvard has even filed a lawsuit against the White House, claiming Trump administration overreach and a violation of their First Amendment rights. With Harvard’s defiance, it has sparked a wave of enthusiasm throughout the campus plus outside of campus, as small-donor contributions have been pouring in from everywhere. And since there is safety in numbers, efforts are underway by groups of universities to form a compact where an attack on one is considered an attack on all, so they’ll all assist with a unified response in defending each other against such unconstitutional aggression.
It might also be a sign the Trump administration is softening this fight by saying the letter sent to Harvard on April 11 was unauthorized and should not have been sent, which the contents specified a list of outrageous demands. These tyrannical demands by Trump may prove to be a case of him overplaying his hand and he doesn’t have the cards.
President Obama chimed in with these comments…
Former President Barack Obama, who went to Harvard Law School, praised Harvard University for its rejection of Trump’s demands in a post on social media late Monday. “Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions — rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect,” Obama wrote. “Let’s hope other institutions follow suit.”
Sources
Higher Ed Leaders React To Harvard’s Stand Against Trump Administration
Trump admin freezes billions in funding to Harvard University after rejecting demands – ABC News
Can Trump or the IRS strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status? Here’s what to know. – CBS News
Trump administration takes aim at Harvard’s international students and tax-exempt status | AP News
Trump administration freezes $2.2 billion in grants to Harvard over campus activism
As Garber Stands Against Trump, Money From Harvard Donors Pours In | News | The Harvard Crimson
Harvard students and faculty applaud defiance of Trump’s demands
IRS could soon revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status at Trump’s request
Trump threatens Harvard’s tax-exempt status: What to know
Can the president revoke a university’s tax-exempt status? | CNN Politics
Universities have few good options under Trump’s pressure campaign
White House Ignited Harvard War By ‘Mistake’—But Blames Harvard Anyway
Harvard Is Fighting Back. So Can We.
The Ivy League resistance is just getting started
How an expert in dictatorships helped push Harvard to challenge Trump – Los Angeles Times
Harvard Knows One Big Thing: Trump Is Not All-Powerful
Harvard Sues Trump Administration Over Threats to Cut Funding – The New York Times
Harvard sues Trump over funding freeze
Harvard’s president says the school will ‘not compromise’ on its rights with the Trump admin
Harvard’s fight with the Trump administration is just getting started. The cost is already high
