Trump 'fights' Harvard

Harvard - Ảnh 1. — Protesters gather at Cambridge Common during a rally calling on Harvard's leadership to oppose federal government interference in the university in Cambridge, Massachusetts on April 12. Photo: REUTERS

On April 15, US President Donald Trump announced on the social network Truth Social that he is considering stripping Harvard University of its tax exemption, further escalating tensions in the confrontation with this top university.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Mr Trump also demanded an apology from Harvard after the school "disobeyed" the administration's requests, leading to the freezing of $2.3 billion in federal funding.

Legal conflicts

Harvard University has publicly protested, calling the Trump administration's demands "illegal."

In a public letter on April 14, President Alan Garber emphasized that the administration is pressuring Harvard to change in a way that reflects more political views, especially conservative views, while tightening its grip on pro-Palestinian protests and ending programs related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).

Harvard asserted that agreeing to these demands would allow the federal government to “take control of the Harvard community” and threaten “the school’s values as a private institution.”

“No government should dictate what universities can teach, who they can hire and what areas of research they can pursue,” Mr Garber stressed.

The White House is considering freezing another $9 billion in federal contracts and grants to Harvard. Spokesman Harrison Fields argued that Trump is “working to make highereducation great again by ending unchecked anti-Semitism” and “ensuring that federal tax dollars do not fund support for racism or violence.”

Mr Trump’s move raises concerns about freedom of speech and academic freedom as he chooses to freeze funding to pressure universities to change their policies. Rachel Goodman, a representative of the American Association of University Professors, criticized: “The Trump administration is using the threat of cutting funding as a tactic to force universities to make concessions. This is blatantly illegal.”

Harvard's tough stance, in contrast, has been welcomed by many students and universities, marking the first time a university has directly refused to comply with government demands, setting up a confrontation between the federal government and academia.

Wave of protest

The Trump administration has repeatedly criticized other universities for their handling of pro-Palestinian protests. Last month, the White House announced the termination of $400 million in medical and scientific research grants and contracts with Columbia University (New York).

Columbia agreed to negotiate a request to tighten the school's protest rules. But some professors sued the administration, arguing that "the termination of funding violated their constitutional rights to free speech and due process."

Other universities such as Princeton and Stanford also expressed support for Harvard. Stanford University President Jonathan Levin and Vice President Jenny Martinez affirmed: "Harvard's response is rooted in the American liberal tradition, a tradition that is essential to universities and deserves to be defended."

Meanwhile, the University of Illinois has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Energy over sharp cuts in federal research funding in areas such as advanced nuclear technology, cybersecurity and new radiopharmaceuticals.

Former President Barack Obama on April 15 publicly supported Harvard, criticizing Mr. Trump's actions as "over-interfering with academic autonomy." He urged: "Let's hope other institutions will follow Harvard's lead."

"Harvard has set an example for other institutions of higher education by rejecting illegal and clumsy attempts to curtail academic freedom and taking concrete steps to ensure that all Harvard students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate, and mutual respect," Obama said on social media.

Faculty at Yale University - another prestigious Ivy League university - on April 15 asked the school's leadership to "oppose and challenge any unlawful demands that threaten academic freedom and autonomy".

Fulbright Scholarship at Risk of Cutback

The White House has proposed cutting educational and cultural cooperation programs administered by the State Department, including the prestigious Fulbright scholarship program.

Established in 1946, the program is one of the oldest scholarships sponsored by the US Government, playing an important role in developing human resources, promoting diplomacy and building international knowledge networks.

In Vietnam, Fulbright not only provides learning opportunities but also contributes to the establishment of Fulbright University Vietnam.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/ong-trump-dai-chien-harvard-20250416235112865.htm