Trump's 'battle' with Harvard

US President Donald Trump threatened to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status and freeze $2.3 billion in federal funding, escalating tensions between the administration and academia.

Protesters gathered at Cambridge Common on April 12th in Cambridge, Massachusetts, to call on Harvard's leadership to oppose federal government interference in the university. (Photo: REUTERS)

On April 15, US President Donald Trump announced on the social media platform Truth Social that he was considering revoking Harvard University's tax exemption, further escalating tensions in his confrontation with the leading university.

White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt said Trump also demanded an apology from Harvard after the school "disobeyed" government requests, resulting in a freeze of $2.3 billion in federal funding.

Conflict of law

Harvard University has publicly opposed the demands, calling them "illegal" from the Trump administration.

In an open letter dated April 14, President Alan Garber emphasized that the administration is pressuring Harvard to change in a way that reflects more political views, particularly conservative ones, while also cracking down on pro-Palestinian protests and ending programs related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Harvard asserts that agreeing to these demands would mean allowing the federal government to "control the Harvard community" and threatening "the values ​​of the university as a private institution."

Mr. Garber emphasized: "No government should be allowed to dictate what universities can teach, who they can hire, and what areas of research they can pursue."

The White House continues to consider freezing an additional $9 billion in federal contracts and funding for Harvard. Spokesman Harrison Fields argued that Trump is "working to bring great higher education back by ending unchecked anti-Semitism," and "ensuring federal taxpayer money does not fund racist or violent behavior."

Trump's actions have raised concerns about freedom of speech and academia as he chooses to freeze funding to pressure universities into changing their policies. Rachel Goodman, a representative of the American Association of University Professors, criticized: "The Trump administration is using the threat of funding cuts as a tactic to force universities to compromise. This is blatantly illegal."

Conversely, Harvard's firm stance was welcomed by many students and universities, marking the first time a university directly refused to comply with government demands, setting up a confrontation between the federal government and academia.

Wave of protest

Not only with Harvard, the Trump administration has also repeatedly criticized other universities for their handling of pro-Palestinian protests. The White House announced last month that it would terminate $400 million in medical and scientific research funding and contracts with Columbia University (New York).

Columbia agreed to negotiate on the university's request to tighten its protest rules. However, some of the university's professors sued the government, arguing that "the termination of funding violated their rights to freedom of speech and constitutional litigation."

Other universities such as Princeton and Stanford also expressed support for Harvard. Stanford University President Jonathan Levin and Vice-President Jenny Martinez affirmed: "Harvard's responses stem from the American tradition of freedom, a tradition essential to universities and worthy of protection."

Meanwhile, the University of Illinois has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Energy for drastically cutting federal research funding in areas such as advanced nuclear technology, cybersecurity, and new radiopharmaceuticals.

On April 15, former President Barack Obama publicly endorsed Harvard, criticizing Trump's actions as "an excessive interference with academic autonomy." He urged, "Let's hope other institutions will follow Harvard's example."

Obama shared on social media: "Harvard has set an example for other higher education institutions in rejecting the unlawful and clumsy attempts to stifle academic freedom, and in taking concrete steps to ensure that all Harvard students can benefit from an environment of intellectual research, serious debate, and mutual respect."

Faculty at Yale University—another prestigious Ivy League institution—on April 15th urged the university's leadership to "oppose and challenge any unlawful demands that threaten academic freedom and autonomy."

Fulbright scholarships face the risk of cuts.

The White House has proposed cutting back on educational and cultural cooperation programs managed by the State Department, including the prestigious Fulbright scholarship program.

Established in 1946, the program is one of the oldest scholarships funded by the U.S. Government, playing a vital role in human resource development, promoting diplomacy, and building international knowledge networks.

In Vietnam, Fulbright not only provides educational opportunities but also contributed to the establishment of Fulbright University Vietnam.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ong-trump-dai-chien-harvard-20250416235112865.htm