In a powerful stand against what they describe as unprecedented government overreach, over 100 U.S. colleges and universities, including Ivy League giants, have come together to denounce President Donald Trump’s political interference in the nation’s academic institutions.
The pushback follows Harvard University’s legal battle against the administration’s decision to freeze $2.2 billion in federal funding, enforce external audits, and restrict foreign student enrollments—all part of Trump’s broader crackdown on what he claims are “woke” campuses promoting anti-Semitic protests and divisive diversity policies.
In a joint open letter, the universities declared,
“We speak with one voice against political intrusion that threatens academic freedom and research independence. Reform is welcome, but coercive control is not.”
The America administration’s policies also include threats to revoke tax-exempt status, restrict hiring of faculty, and force policy changes through funding pressure. Immigration policies have also tightened, with foreign student visas being revoked arbitrarily.
While most institutions feared financial ruin and complied quietly, Harvard took a bold step, suing the government in Massachusetts federal court, stating:
“This is an attack not only on Harvard’s autonomy, but on free thought and the First Amendment.”
Harvard emphasized that 27% of its students are international, and many are now under threat due to government demands for records on alleged “illegal and violent activities.”
This growing conflict represents a pivotal moment in the battle for academic freedom in the U.S.
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