Trump threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status and block foreign student admissions, impacting students, corporate America, and the military-industrial complex.
The move was triggered by protests at Harvard and Columbia against the Gaza War, which the administration labeled as “leftwing” and “antisemitic.”
The administration seems to be appealing to its ‘Make America Great Again’ (MAGA) base, who have grievances against elite northeastern universities like Harvard.
Harvard's refusal to comply with federal control is rooted in its large grants and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, which Trump’s administration opposes ideologically.
Harvard, with its financial resources and political influence, is likely to withstand the administration’s pressure.
Trump’s cuts to government research funding have also affected public universities, particularly in conservative states like Alabama.
Public universities depend on state funding and are increasingly under political influence, threatening America’s higher education system.
The decline in public funding for higher education is a global trend, with countries like the U.K., India, and others cutting back, while China continues to invest heavily in education.
The defunding of higher education in the U.S. could hurt future generations' prospects and weaken the nation's strength.
COMMENTS