Trump and Higher Education
Harvard University has become the center of political controversy as President Trump signed an executive order to cut off federal funding to universities that host international students. This order comes after alleged “anti-American” letters surfaced online, originating from the Harvard Undergraduate Palestine Solidarity Committee. These letters were critical of U.S. policy during the 2023 Israel-Hamas conflict and drew national backlash for not condemning the Hamas attacks.
The new order, issued in February of this year, focuses federal agencies on monitoring international student speech and penalizing universities that fail to take disciplinary action against students who are considered to be expressing anti-American views. The Trump administration framed this order as protecting national security; however, many legal experts have voiced concerns regarding the implications for free speech and access to higher education. More than a quarter of the Harvard population is made up of international students, and this order could restrict both current students from completing their education, and prospective students from starting altogether.
The Trump administration has withheld over $2.6 billion in federal research grants for Harvard, and has continued to ask federal agencies to cancel even more funding to the school in an attempt to get Harvard to comply with the administration's demands. Harvard has thus far stood up to the order and even sued the administration is pursuance of ending the freeze of funds.
On May 23rd, Harvard filed a lawsuit to stop the Trump administration from denying international students access to higher education within the U.S. A Boston judge provided a temporary order that would stop the decision from coming into force. International students are still able to be enrolled at Harvard and keep their legal standing. A hearing on the case is scheduled for May 29th.