‘Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning,’ Trump claimed.
The Trump administration has threatened to ban Harvard University from enrolling foreign students. This comes after the institution did not yield to demands from Donald Trump’s administration.
The White House demanded Harvard make changes to its governance, hiring practices and admissions procedures. This followed a list received by the institution on April 3, which ordered officials to shut diversity offices and cooperate with immigration authorities for screenings of international students.
Trump takes a jab at Harvard
“Harvard is a joke, teaches hate and stupidity, and should no longer receive federal funds,” said Trump on his Truth Social on Wednesday.
In a press release on 16 April, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced the cancellation of two DHS grants totalling up to $2.7 million (R50.9 million) to Harvard University.
She also wrote a stinging letter demanding a detailed record on Harvard’s foreign student visa holders’ alleged “illegal and violent activities” by April 30, 2025.
Failure to present this will result in immediate loss of Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)certification, it warned.
“Harvard bending the knee to antisemitism — driven by its spineless leadership — fuels a cesspool of extremist riots and threatens our national security,” said Secretary Noem.
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Harvard stood up to Trump
Following Harvard’s rejection of the demands from the Trump administration that threatened $9 billion (R170 billion) in research funding, the university argued that the changes pushed by the government exceeded its lawful authority and infringed on the university’s independence and constitutional rights.
“No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” President Alan Garber said in a message to the Harvard community.
“Our motto—Veritas, or truth—guides us as we navigate the challenging path ahead.
“Seeking truth is a journey without end. It requires us to be open to new information and different perspectives, to subject our beliefs to ongoing scrutiny, and to be ready to change our minds.
“It compels us to take up the difficult work of acknowledging our flaws so that we might realise the full promise of the University, especially when that promise is threatened,” Garber said.
