Obama commends Harvard despite Trump administration withdrawing billions in funding
The former president called on universities to push back against the White House's efforts to “stifle academic freedom."
TroibNews 
Former President Barack Obama has criticized the Trump administration for freezing over $2.2 billion in federal funding for Harvard University after the Ivy League institution declined a series of demands from the White House.
Obama commended Harvard's decision as a model for how other universities should respond to President Donald Trump’s attempts to penalize higher education institutions he perceives as adversarial.
“Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions — rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect,” Obama wrote Monday night on X. “Let’s hope other institutions follow suit.”
The former president’s remarks follow Harvard’s decision to stand against the Trump administration's Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which demanded new policies regarding student and faculty behavior as well as admissions procedures intended to address what the administration characterizes as antisemitism on campus.
As a Harvard Law School alumnus, Obama’s sentiments carry particular weight.
In a letter sent to Harvard last week, the administration urged the university to implement sweeping governance changes, including imposing disciplinary measures against student protesters, decertifying pro-Palestinian student organizations, and abolishing its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
However, Harvard President Alan M. Garber conveyed to the campus community on Monday that “the administration’s prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government” and that the university would not comply with these demands.
Shortly after, the Education Department responded.
“It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support,” the task force stated in its announcement regarding the funding freeze.
Harvard’s stance represents a notable act of resistance against the ongoing critiques from the White House aimed at higher education institutions, which include funding freezes and investigations into what the administration calls antisemitism and civil rights issues on campus. The Trump administration has also taken aim at universities and schools concerning trans athletes' participation in sports.
Meanwhile, several other prestigious universities, including Columbia University, have appeared to acquiesce to the Trump administration in an attempt to avoid becoming further targets.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
Obama commended Harvard's decision as a model for how other universities should respond to President Donald Trump’s attempts to penalize higher education institutions he perceives as adversarial.
“Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions — rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect,” Obama wrote Monday night on X. “Let’s hope other institutions follow suit.”
The former president’s remarks follow Harvard’s decision to stand against the Trump administration's Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which demanded new policies regarding student and faculty behavior as well as admissions procedures intended to address what the administration characterizes as antisemitism on campus.
As a Harvard Law School alumnus, Obama’s sentiments carry particular weight.
In a letter sent to Harvard last week, the administration urged the university to implement sweeping governance changes, including imposing disciplinary measures against student protesters, decertifying pro-Palestinian student organizations, and abolishing its diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
However, Harvard President Alan M. Garber conveyed to the campus community on Monday that “the administration’s prescription goes beyond the power of the federal government” and that the university would not comply with these demands.
Shortly after, the Education Department responded.
“It is time for elite universities to take the problem seriously and commit to meaningful change if they wish to continue receiving taxpayer support,” the task force stated in its announcement regarding the funding freeze.
Harvard’s stance represents a notable act of resistance against the ongoing critiques from the White House aimed at higher education institutions, which include funding freezes and investigations into what the administration calls antisemitism and civil rights issues on campus. The Trump administration has also taken aim at universities and schools concerning trans athletes' participation in sports.
Meanwhile, several other prestigious universities, including Columbia University, have appeared to acquiesce to the Trump administration in an attempt to avoid becoming further targets.
Anna Muller for TROIB News
