Barack Obama, Yale faculty, and several academic institutions have publicly backed Harvard after the Trump administration cut $2 billion in federal grants. The move followed Harvard’s rejection of what it described as an unlawful attempt by the government to regulate private universities.
Obama praised Harvard for defending academic freedom and promoting intellectual diversity, urging other institutions to follow its lead.
The funding freeze, part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to combat antisemitism on campuses, has been widely criticized by educators as an overreach intended to restrict free speech and academic autonomy. In response, 876 Yale faculty members signed a letter supporting Harvard’s stance, warning of escalating threats to the core democratic values of higher education.
While universities like Columbia and Princeton have complied with federal demands to retain funding, Harvard has refused. This standoff has led to additional measures, including visa revocations for students and researchers.
Critics argue the crackdown targets perceived liberal ideologies under the guise of fighting antisemitism, while the administration insists it’s about enforcing federal law and protecting Jewish students.
