Trump intensifies battle with Harvard: "They're sinking deeper and deeper"
President Donald Trump escalated his long-standing dispute with Harvard University on Wednesday, charging that the prestigious institution shows disrespect to the country and should cease opposing his policies. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump asserted that Harvard "wants to fight" and "is getting their a-- kicked" in its efforts to challenge his administration.
"They're dealing very badly. Every time they fight, they lose another $250 million," Trump said. "Yesterday, we found another $100 million."
The president has consistently criticized Harvard for perceived antisemitism and for allegedly receiving billions of dollars in federal funds. The White House has accused Harvard of admitting too many foreign students, particularly from "radicalized" regions, and not doing enough to ensure they pose no threat to the country.
In a heated response, Trump proposed that Harvard should limit its enrollment of foreign students to 15%. "We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools. They can't get in because we have foreign students there," he said. "But I want to make sure that the foreign students are people that can love our country."
Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote to Harvard demanding extensive information on its international students with F-1 visas. Failure to comply with the request would lead to the withdrawal of Harvard's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, a move that would have prevented the university from enrolling new international students or sponsoring F-1 and J-1 visas for the 2025-26 academic year.
Harvard, which has sued the administration over funding and grant cuts, claimed that it had provided the federal government with "thousands of data points concerning its entire F-1 visa student population." However, Noem announced the revocation of Harvard's SEVP certification and the prohibition of new foreign student enrollment shortly after her letter was sent. Harvard filed a lawsuit the following day, and a judge granted a temporary order blocking the move.
Trump spoke dismissively of protests by a group of Jewish students at Harvard over perceived antisemitism and administrative threats. He reiterated his claims of antisemitism at Harvard and other elite institutions while expressing support for a solution with Columbia University, which he lauded for working with the administration.
The ongoing conflict between President Trump and Harvard University involves disputes over student data privacy, allegations of antisemitism and campus safety, governmental action against Harvard's SEVP certification, and ongoing litigation. The situation significantly impacts Harvard's international students and the university's foreign student enrollment policy.
"The ongoing conflict between President Trump and Harvard University extends beyond domestic politics, venturing into international waters, as it involves disputes over student data privacy, allegations of antisemitism, and foreign student enrollment policies."
"Concurrently, the ongoing disagreement between the two parties is also intertwined with war-and-conflicts and general news, as it encompasses allegations of antisemitism in academic institutions and the potential impacts on national security through foreign student enrollment."
