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More than 200 presidents from U.S. colleges and universities, including Harvard, Princeton, and Columbia, have jointly denounced what they call unprecedented political interference by the Trump administration in higher education. In a powerful statement, the presidents accused the government of overreach, citing attempts to influence university policies by leveraging federal funding.
The joint letter follows a lawsuit filed by Harvard University accusing the Trump administration of violating the Constitution by pausing $2.3 billion in federal research funding in retaliation for rejecting government demands to monitor student bodies, faculty, and curriculum. The White House argues the funding freeze ensures taxpayer dollars don’t support racial discrimination or antisemitism, pointing to pro-Palestinian student protests as justification.
Harvard, however, contends the administration failed to follow due process under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which requires a formal review and Congressional notice before cutting funds. The university's lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court, claims the government is unlawfully using financial pressure to suppress free speech and academic freedom.
Columbia University, facing similar scrutiny, entered negotiations after the administration pulled $400 million in research grants. The administration has also threatened to revoke universities' tax-exempt status and block foreign student enrollment. Amid this climate, schools like Duke University have warned international students against traveling abroad due to increased immigration enforcement.
A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows 57% of Americans—including one-third of Republicans—oppose cutting university funding based on political disagreements. With over 1.1 million foreign students in the U.S., many institutions fear the long-term impact of these escalating tensions on academic freedom, scientific research, and international collaboration in American higher education.
