Trump Says Harvard Violated Jewish Students’ Rights, Demands Immediate Changes

The Trump administration has formally accused Harvard University of violating the civil rights of Jewish students and is demanding immediate changes, or face the complete loss of federal funding. Following an investigation, the administration concluded that Harvard failed to protect students from discrimination based on race or nationality, asserting the university was at times a “willful participant in anti-Semitic harassment of Jewish students, faculty, and staff.”
This new development adds another layer to the protracted dispute between the Trump administration and Harvard. The university had already lost over $2.6 billion in federal funding due to its refusal to accept a series of demands from President Trump concerning campus hiring, admissions, and governance. The administration’s current threat of a total funding cut highlights the severity of its findings regarding anti-Semitism on campus.
The administration’s stance against Harvard has also manifested in its policies concerning international students. Earlier, President Trump expressed concerns about the high number of foreign students at Ivy League schools, suggesting a cap to open up more spots for American applicants. Harvard’s reported 31% international student enrollment was cited as a particular point of contention.
The most extreme measure taken by the administration was the revocation of Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, effectively barring the university from enrolling international students and requiring existing ones to transfer. Harvard countered with a lawsuit, deeming the ban unconstitutional retaliation. However, a recent shift in tone from President Trump suggests potential progress, as he announced positive negotiations with Harvard officials towards a possible “historic” settlement.