Why is Trump Threatening Harvard?

Donald Trump, the president of the USA has been on the journey to eliminate antisemitism on USA university campuses. The administration first targeted Columbia University, followed by other Ivy League universities in USA, and now it has targeted Harvard University. Harvard is America's richest as well as oldest private university. President Donald Trump has threatened Harvard University by announcing a pause on federal funding of $2.2 billion and freezing another $60 million in multi-year contracts. This is because the Trump government is unhappy with how student protests and issues related to antisemitism were handled by the university. President Donald Trump has further escalated his war against the elite US universities by threatening Harvard to strip off its tax-exempt status if the university would not comply with policy demands from the administration. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told journalists, Trump 'wants to see Harvard apologize. And Harvard should apologize'.

This Story also Contains

1. What are the Demands by Trump from Harvard University?
2. Harvard University’s Response to the Trump Administration
3. Trump’s Response to Harvard University
4. Other Universities Affected by Trump’s Demands

The situation has caused a lot of debate across the country as people argue about how much control the government should have over what happens at colleges and universities. This also impacts the international community at Harvard University. Let us understand what the government expects from Harvard University and Harvard’s response to the government.

What are the Demands by Trump from Harvard University?

On 3rd April 2025, the Trump government sent a letter to the prestigious Harvard University. The letter stated that the university should put an end to its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in hiring, admissions, and programs. In addition, the power provided over university affairs to the students and faculty members of Harvard University should be reduced. The university was also asked to share its hiring data, irrespective of it being a private university in the USA. If the demands were not met by the university, then the federal funding would be stopped. The following are the demands from Harvard University.

1. Terminating diversity programs

Trump believes that there is ‘racial discrimination’ in higher education in the USA. He has promised to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. A statement from White House suggests that ‘Illegal DEI and DEIA policies not only violate the text and spirit of our longstanding Federal civil-rights laws, but they also undermine our national unity by denying, discrediting, and eroding the traditional American values of hard work, excellence, and individual achievement in favor of a harmful identity-based spoils system.’ By eliminating DEI programs, Trump aims to promote merit-based hiring practices across the United States.

2. Stopping anti-semitism protests

In March, the US Department of Education announced it was investigating 60 colleges and universities for alleged ‘anti-semitic harassment and discrimination.’ This is because various universities in USA have witnessed protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. Some of the protests turned out to be violent. Trump demands that universities handle these protests properly and demands systematic screening of student organizations and international students. Trump's government also demands that university shares their hiring data with the government.

3. Banning face masks on campus

Trump is pushing for a ban on face masks at universities. This is a demand that will prevent protesters from hiding their identities, as per the president of the USA. This move is perceived as an attempt to target pro-Palestine protesters.

Harvard University’s Response to the Trump Administration

Harvard University’s President Alan Garber responded to the serious demands coming from the Trump administration. In the statement, he made it clear that he stands against any government interference in how universities operate. He believes that no government should impose demands on how a private university teaches, who they admit, hire, and what kinds of courses they offer.

In addition, Harvard stated that the government’s actions violate the First Amendment and the freedom of the university. In addition, he cautioned that such interference could undermine the very essence of Harvard's mission as a private institution. He has also committed to ensure fairness when it comes to discipline on campus.

Trump’s Response to Harvard University

After Harvard University denied following the demands put up by Trump, Trump's Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism issued a statement saying that they will be holding back $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and freeze $60 million in government contracts. In addition, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed the media that Trump wants Harvard to apologize to the government.

The amount frozen by Trump is a fraction of the $9 billion in federal funding that Harvard receives. $7 billion goes to the university's 11 affiliated hospitals, and $2 billion goes directly to Harvard for research grants. Harvard conducts research on subjects like space exploration, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and tuberculosis.

Other Universities Affected by Trump’s Demands

Harvard University is not the only one targeted by the Trump administration. There were several other US universities, some of which agreed to the demands and made the changes required.

1. Columbia University

Columbia University has also faced challenges due to pro-Palestine protests happening on campus. As a result, the Trump administration decided to freeze $400 million in federal funding for the university. However, Columbia agreed to follow the demands by Trump and agreed to implement a ban on face masks on campus, give security officers the authority to remove or arrest individuals, and provide a new official for its Middle Eastern, South Asian, and African Studies.

Additionally, the US has taken measures against two Columbia students, Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi, due to their participation in the pro-Palestine protests. Moreover, an Indian student named Ranjani Srinivasan, who was working towards a doctoral degree at Columbia, chose to self-deport after her student visa was revoked for her involvement in the protests.

2. Princeton University

Princeton University is another university that was targeted and lost almost $4 million in federal funding. The government decided to cut off research grants of the university as the White House believes that the research topics were based on "exaggerated and implausible climate threats". The topics included sea level rise, coastal flooding, and global warming.

3. Johns Hopkins University

The Trump administration also aimed at Johns Hopkins University. The prestigious university was asked to lay off more than 2,000 employees. This is suggested in order to reduce foreign aid funding.

4. Cornell University

Cornell University is also at risk of losing over $1 billion in federal funding as the Trump administration has mentioned that the university is not managing anti-semitism well. There has been no reaction from the university as of now.

5. Northwestern University

The Trump administration has warned the university to lose around $790 million if the demands are not met. As a result, Northwestern University has implemented steps to address antisemitism. However, the university expressed confusion over this situation.

6. Brown University

Brown University has been warned to lose up to $510 million in federal funding. The Trump administration has claimed that the university is not doing enough to address antisemitism on campus. However, there has been no public response given by the university.

7. University of Pennsylvania

In 2022, the University of Pennsylvania, a transgender athelete was allowed to participate in sports. Based on this the Trump administration has suspepended $175 million in federal funds. This affected research on drug screening, hospital-acquired infections, quantum computing, and student loan programs.

Also Read: