The US administration made what Harvard University, a globally recognized university that is representative of the elitism that Donald Trump and his supporters frequently disparage, an extortion demand: give up fundamental academic freedoms or risk losing billions of dollars in federal funding. How did the university react? A firm denial.
The Trump administration blamed the Ivy League for failing to stop antisemitism on campus, echoing pressure that had been placed on Columbia University. It called for radical reforms, including the elimination of diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, the inclusion of “viewpoint diversity” in recruiting practices, and collaboration with immigration authorities about student screening.
In a letter dated April 11, the government accused Harvard of “failing to live up to both the intellectual and civil rights conditions that justify federal investment,” stating that “investment is not an entitlement.” It outlined 10 requirements for ongoing financing, which Harvard promptly turned down.
