Harvard Faces Trump Pressure Over Foreign Funding

The Trump administration has escalated its pressure on Harvard University, demanding the release of records concerning foreign funding between 2014 and 2019 and alleging incomplete disclosures. Harvard has refused to comply, earning public support from former Presidents Obama and Biden for defending academic independence. In response, the administration has frozen Harvard’s grants and threatened to revoke its tax-exempt status and ban foreign students. The confrontation has sparked internal debate at Harvard, with faculty encouraging resistance despite risks. Comparisons have been made to similar disputes at other Ivy League institutions, and legal experts note Harvard is employing litigation tactics often used by Trump himself. Observers suggest that Harvard’s resources and resilience may allow it to withstand political pressure in the long term.