United States President Donald Trump is one of the most polarizing figures in the world today. Indeed, American citizens still debate amongst themselves the effectiveness of his policies. The fact of the matter, though, is that no matter what anyone thinks, President Trump is going to do what he claims is best for the country.
One of the more controversial things the President has done in these first few months into his second term is mandate that schools, and universities in particular, make sweeping changes to their policies. Among these changes is to end diversity, equity, and inclusiveness (DEI) programs, ban mask-wearing, and merit-based hiring.
Harvard University, one of the most prestigious educational establishments in the world, has refused to adopt these changes, and President Trump decided to hit them in their pocketbook.
President Donald Trumps Has Cut $2.2 Billion of Funding to Harvard University
In a statement released by the University, Harvard President Alan Garber wrote the following:
“Late Friday night, the administration issued an updated and expanded list of demands, warning that Harvard must comply if we intend to ‘maintain [our] financial relationship with the federal government.’ It makes clear that the intention is not to work with us to address antisemitism in a cooperative and constructive manner. Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism, the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the “intellectual conditions” at Harvard.
“I encourage you to read the letter to gain a fuller understanding of the unprecedented demands being made by the federal government to control the Harvard community. They include requirements to ‘audit’ the viewpoints of our student body, faculty, staff, and to ‘reduc[e] the power’ of certain students, faculty, and administrators targeted because of their ideological views. We have informed the administration through our legal counsel that we will not accept their proposed agreement. The University will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.”
As one can see from Garber’s statement, President Trump threatened to end funding for Harvard, and thereby affecting its college football program and other athletics, if they did not take steps to silence students and staff whose viewpoints do not match those of the government.
Since Harvard refused to bend to the President’s demands, he has cut off $2.2 billion of funding.
Per CNN, “The Trump administration announced Monday that it would freeze $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and $60 million in multi-year contract value at Harvard University after the school said it would not follow policy demands from the administration.”
This development comes just three days after the University’s faculty filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration in response to his demands.
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