President Donald Trump’s administration is making a final push on Harvard University, threatening to cut all federal funding as it addresses alleged anti-Semitism and continues its long-standing dispute over university policies. An investigation concluded that Harvard violated civil rights of Jewish students and was a “willful participant in anti-Semitic harassment.”
This severe threat follows a period where Harvard had already faced significant financial repercussions, having lost over $2.6 billion in federal funding. This previous loss was a direct result of the university’s rejection of President Trump’s comprehensive demands for reforms in campus hiring, admissions, and governance. The current threat signals a renewed determination by the administration.
The broader context of this confrontation includes President Trump’s earlier public critiques of Harvard’s admissions policies, particularly concerning international students. He advocated for a reduction in foreign student enrollment, suggesting a 15% cap, arguing that a high number of international students, such as Harvard’s reported 31%, disadvantaged American applicants.
The administration had previously escalated its pressure by revoking Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program certification, which effectively barred the university from enrolling new international students and threatened the status of current ones. This led Harvard to pursue legal action, accusing the administration of unconstitutional retaliation. However, recent statements from President Trump indicate a potential thaw in relations, with ongoing negotiations hinting at a possible “historic” settlement.