Obama calls Trump’s freeze of Harvard funding ‘unlawful’
Barack Obama Praises Harvard for Resisting Trump’s Policy Demands Over Federal Funding Threat
Former President Barack Obama has broken his social media silence to commend Harvard University for resisting pressure from the Trump administration, which threatened to withdraw over $2 billion in federal support unless the school changed its hiring, admissions, and academic practices.
Obama, who earned his law degree from Harvard in 1991, labeled the administration’s attempt as both “illegal and heavy-handed.” In his post, he urged other colleges to follow Harvard’s example by not giving in to political coercionand by upholding the principles of academic freedom.
Also read: Trump Freezes $2.2 Billion in Harvard Grants Over Activism
“Harvard is showing real leadership—defying an unlawful attempt to undermine intellectual independence while working to ensure every student is part of a respectful, open academic community,” Obama said.
This marks one of the rare instances since leaving office that Obama has publicly criticized government policy online. Most of his previous posts were centered on personal topics, tributes, or political endorsements, particularly in support of Vice President Kamala Harris during her election campaign.
Also read: Harvard Upholds Academic Freedom Amid Trump’s Funding Pressure
The controversy stems from Trump’s renewed efforts to reshape higher education by using financial leverage to demand changes at top institutions. The White House claims these moves are necessary to fight antisemitism on campuses, particularly following pro-Palestinian protests and criticism of U.S. support for Israel.
While Columbia University recently complied with some federal requests, Harvard became the first major institution to reject them entirely. MIT soon followed, echoing concerns about government overreach into academic matters.
In a statement, Harvard President Alan Garber emphasized that “no administration should have control over academic curriculum, hiring, or admissions at private universities.”
University leaders across the country, including at Stanford, Yale, and MIT, have expressed solidarity with Harvard. Stanford’s President and Provost wrote that while constructive feedback is welcome, dismantling research funding is not the path forward.
Trump, however, has doubled down—now threatening to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, a privilege held by universities, charities, and religious organizations as long as they avoid political entanglement and maintain their core missions.
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