Former President Barack Obama, a graduate of Harvard University, took to social media to commend his alma mater for resisting the Trump administration’s directives aimed at abolishing DEI programs and restricting international student admissions.
Since his return to office, President Donald Trump has prioritized the transformation of higher education, threatening to withdraw federal research funding unless universities comply with his administration’s mandates. The new regulations, which are scheduled to be implemented by August 2025, target various aspects of higher education, including DEI initiatives and international student enrollment, while insisting on “viewpoint” diversity and threatening to dismantle departments that do not comply. Harvard has taken a stand against these measures. On Monday, the university became the first prominent institution to voice its opposition, accusing the White House of attempting to exert control over its community.
President Alan Garber stated that these demands infringe upon First Amendment rights and “undermine our values” as a private institution. He asserted that no government should dictate to universities “what to teach, whom to admit and hire,” or what research to pursue.
In light of this situation, Obama—who earned his law degree from Harvard—remarked:
“Harvard has set a precedent for other institutions of higher education by rejecting an unlawful and heavy-handed effort to suppress academic freedom, while ensuring that students can thrive in an environment characterized by intellectual exploration, vigorous debate, and mutual respect. Let us hope that others will follow their lead.” Trump has also suggested that Harvard’s tax-exempt status should be reconsidered, expressing his frustration on Truth Social that the university should be taxed “as a political entity” if it continues to promote what he labels as “political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness.’”
He reminded everyone that tax-exempt status is “entirely dependent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST!” If revoked, the consequences could be significant.
