In the ongoing battle against wokeism in higher education, Harvard University has refused to comply with the Trump administration’s common-sense demands.
This sparked a vicious response from former President Barack Obama, who publicly praised Harvard for its defiance and condemned President Donald Trump’s actions.
The elite institution shockingly rejected conditions to maintain $2.2 billion in federal funding.
Instead, it chose to protect its liberal diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and policies that many conservatives have criticized as anti-American indoctrination.
The Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism froze Harvard’s $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contract value after the university refused to implement critical reforms.
Set to be implemented by August 2025, these changes include ending controversial DEI programs, limiting international student admissions, requiring “viewpoint” diversity, and closing non-compliant departments that have been breeding grounds for radical ideologies.
Harvard President Alan Garber defended the university’s resistance to President Trump’s reforms, claiming the administration’s requirements violate First Amendment rights.
“No government — regardless of which party is in power — should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue,” Garber stated.
Despite growing concerns about anti-semitism on campus and the restriction of conservative voices, Garber insisted no government should dictate what private universities can teach or who they can admit, even while accepting billions in taxpayer dollars.
Obama wasted no time inserting himself into the controversy. He used social media platform Bluesky to commend Harvard, saying:
“Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions — rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect.”
This praise comes despite documented evidence of antisemitic incidents at Harvard and other elite universities following Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.
The Department of Education has opened investigations into 60 colleges for antisemitic harassment and discrimination, highlighting a systemic problem across American higher education.
While Harvard has chosen defiance, other institutions like Columbia University have complied with similar demands after losing $400 million in grants.
Columbia recognized the need for reform in campus environments that have become increasingly hostile to Jewish students and conservative viewpoints.
The Trump administration’s demands included reforms such as a ban on face coverings used by pro-Palestinian demonstrators, withdrawal of recognition from student groups promoting violence, and cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Most importantly, the administration demands a return to merit-based admissions instead of race-based preferences that many Americans find fundamentally unfair.
Harvard’s lawyers expressed disappointment that the government ignored the university’s supposed efforts to create a supportive environment, despite evidence of ongoing anti-semitism and leftist indoctrination.
With a massive $53.2 billion endowment, Harvard can afford to reject federal oversight while continuing to push ideological agendas that many taxpayers find objectionable.
While Obama praises Harvard’s stance as defending “academic freedom,” many Americans see the Trump administration’s actions as necessary accountability for institutions that receive billions in taxpayer funding while promoting divisive ideologies.
Harvard’s decision to prioritize its DEI programs and controversial admissions policies over federal civil rights concerns reveals the deep entrenchment of leftist ideology at the nation’s most prestigious university.
