Harvard’s Strained Relationship with Feds: Anti-Semitism Allegations Add Fuel

Harvard University’s strained relationship with the federal government has been further inflamed by new allegations of anti-Semitism, leading to a direct threat to cut all federal funding. An investigation by the Trump administration concluded that civil rights of Jewish students had been violated, with Harvard deemed a “willful participant in anti-Semitic harassment.”
This development adds another layer to the protracted dispute between the Trump administration and Harvard. The university had already lost over $2.6 billion in federal funding due to its refusal to accept a series of demands from President Trump concerning campus hiring, admissions, and governance. The current threat of a total funding cut highlights the severity of its findings regarding anti-Semitism on campus.
The administration’s stance against Harvard has also manifested in its policies concerning international students. Earlier, President Trump expressed concerns about the high number of foreign students at Ivy League schools, suggesting a cap to open up more spots for American applicants. Harvard’s reported 31% international student enrollment was cited as a particular point of contention.
The most extreme measure taken by the administration was the revocation of Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program, effectively barring the university from enrolling international students and requiring existing ones to transfer. Harvard countered with a lawsuit, deeming the ban unconstitutional retaliation. However, a recent shift in tone from President Trump suggests potential progress, as he announced positive negotiations with Harvard officials towards a possible “historic” settlement.