The Trump administration’s withholding of billions of dollars from colleges is unconstitutional and strips them of their autonomy
By THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Harvard University is facing severe budget cuts and the withholding of funds following a publicized battle with President Donald Trump’s administration. Beginning in March, the Trump administration sent a series of letters to universities across the country expressing concerns about antisemitism on university campuses following an increased presence of pro-Palestine protests. Then, on April 3 and 11, the Trump administration issued a series of harsh demands to Harvard, outlining changes to their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs, hiring processes and international student programs.
Three days later, on April 14, Harvard responded with their own letter stating that they would not relinquish their constitutional rights and comply with the administration’s unlawful demands. Later that day, the Trump administration announced it was freezing $2.2 billion in research funding and $60 million in contracts with Harvard. This number has grown even more following the creation of a federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism Task Force, announcing that Harvard will lose another $450 million in grants from eight federal agencies on May 13.
In an April Truth Social post, the Trump administration threatened Harvard University’s tax-exempt status.
“Perhaps Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting “Sickness?,” the post reads.
This attack on higher education is unprecedented, as most colleges are tax-exempt organizations with non-profit status. This attack on Harvard is just the beginning of a campaign to limit all academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
These demands and withholding of funds reflect the Trump administration’s commitment to limiting university student activism. This escalating tension between the federal government and Harvard represents a broader fundamental conflict over democratic values and the American education system.
To counter these allegations and monetary withholdings, Harvard University filed a lawsuit against the federal government on April 21, arguing that freezing billions in funding violates the First Amendment right to free speech and protest. A hearing for the case has been scheduled for July.
Just last week, yet another lawsuit arose in the battle between the White House and Harvard. The administration, in addition to threatening the school’s tax-exempt status, also revoked the school’s power to admit international students, with the Department of Homeland Security informing current visa holders that “they must transfer to another university to maintain their nonimmigrant status.” As of the time of publication, Harvard has won an initial court case to keep their ability to enroll international students.
The outcome of these lawsuits and conflicts will likely set a precedent for how American universities navigate relations with the new administration and its growing authoritarian oversight of educational proceedings. This political assault is likely just the beginning, as the Trump administration has issued other warnings to educational institutions, including the University of California system.
Senior Counsel at the Department of Justice and Head of the Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism Leo Terrell spoke out this past Tuesday, issuing yet another threat to universities across the U.S. Terrell told Fox News to “expect massive lawsuits against the UC system” and “hate crime charges filed by the federal government.”
This is undoubtedly a threat to all universities and the American education system. These unlawful and aggressive actions by the federal government — which attempt to force schools to uphold their unconstitutional demands — have crossed a previously untouched line.
Some universities have found other ways to support their community education, both abroad and within the country. Amid the legal battle, Harvard has started offering free courses for students worldwide, with classes ranging from “American Government” to “Constitutional Foundations.” This openness by one of the most prestigious schools in the U.S. is just one of the many steps by universities to safeguard their autonomy.
With these extreme funding cuts, programs are in jeopardy everywhere. If Trump succeeds in these changes, universities across the country will be altered, shaping our higher education and academic institutions for generations to come. As students here at UC Davis, we should appreciate our privileged access to high-quality education and resources. Education should be considered a fundamental right — we must defend and uplift academic institutions amidst their persecution in order to safeguard our democracy.
Written by: The Editorial Board
