The Trump administration has intensified its standoff with Harvard University, announcing a threat to cut all federal funding after an investigation concluded that civil rights of Jewish students had been violated, citing anti-Semitism on campus. The administration’s findings, detailed in an official letter, accuse Harvard of being a “willful participant in anti-Semitic harassment.”
This new development builds upon existing financial pressures on Harvard, which had already lost over $2.6 billion in federal funding. This previous loss was a direct result of the university’s non-compliance with President Trump’s demands for extensive reforms in its hiring, admissions, and governance policies. The current threat escalates the financial stakes significantly.
The conflict has also encompassed President Trump’s views on international student enrollment at elite universities. He had previously suggested a cap of around 15% on foreign students, arguing that Harvard’s reported 31% international student body limited opportunities for American applicants. This issue had been a consistent point of contention.
In a past, dramatic move, the administration had revoked Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, effectively barring it from enrolling international students and threatening the status of existing ones. Harvard responded with a lawsuit, calling the ban unconstitutional retaliation. However, recent announcements from President Trump suggest a potential de-escalation, with ongoing negotiations hinting at a “mindbogglingly’ HISTORIC” settlement.