President Donald Trump sharply criticized Harvard University in response to its president’s remarks defending free speech amidst accusations of unchecked antisemitism on campus. After Harvard’s president Alan Garber spoke out against the Trump administration’s move to freeze over $2 billion in federal funding, Trump responded with a blistering statement, branding the institution as a haven for radical ideologies. “Harvard is an antisemitic, far-left Institution, as are numerous others, with students being accepted from all over the world that want to rip our country apart,” Trump posted on Truth Social. “The place is a liberal mess, allowing a certain group of crazed lunatics to enter and exit the classroom and spew fake anger and hate.” He continued, “It is truly horrific!”
Garber, acknowledging the rise in antisemitic incidents at Harvard since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, nonetheless defended the university’s stance. In an interview with NBC’s Lester Holt, he said, “We are defending what I believe is one of the most important linchpins of the American economy and way of life — our universities.” Garber explained that despite recognizing the seriousness of the issue, he felt obligated to push back against what he saw as politically motivated interference in academic independence.
Trump, however, dismissed Harvard’s stance as hypocritical and dangerous. He accused the university of pretending to change only after being pressured. “Now, since our filings began, they act like they are all ‘American Apple Pie,’” he wrote. “Harvard is a threat to democracy, with a lawyer who represents me, who should therefore be forced to resign, immediately, or be fired.”
According to reporting from The Harvard Crimson, the university filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over the funding freeze, with its legal team including Robert Hur and William Burck. Hur previously served in Trump’s Department of Justice, while Burck once represented The Trump Organization. Trump commented on Burck’s role in the suit with a parting shot: “He’s not that good, anyway, and I hope that my very big and beautiful company, now run by my sons, gets rid of him ASAP!”
In a detailed letter dated April 11, the Trump administration had called on Harvard to overhaul its leadership and admissions systems, conduct an internal review of its diversity programs, and cease recognition of certain student groups. The administration also demanded structural reforms as a condition for restoring frozen federal research funds.
Harvard’s lawsuit, filed Monday, challenged the legality of the freeze, arguing that there was no legitimate link between the university’s handling of antisemitism and the research projects affected by the funding suspension. “The government has not — and cannot — identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation,” the complaint stated. It further warned that halting billions in federal support could gravely damage scientific advancement and national competitiveness.
But the administration quickly issued a forceful rebuttal. In a statement Monday night, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields made it clear that the days of unchecked federal funding for elite universities were over. “The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families, is coming to an end,” Fields said. “Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege.”
Meanwhile, legal experts are already weighing in. Harvard Professor Emeritus Alan Dershowitz told Newsmax that the law was likely on Trump’s side in this confrontation. “Harvard’s going to lose,” he said during an appearance on “The Record With Greta Van Susteren.” “It has no obligation legally, the government, to fund a $53 billion university. I don’t understand the basis of the lawsuit.”
Dershowitz emphasized that while Harvard has the right to free speech and academic freedom, that does not entitle it to federal dollars. “They’re claiming First Amendment. But, you know, Harvard has the First Amendment right to speak and to teach and academic freedom, but it doesn’t have the right to get funding.”
He suggested the legal maneuvering might be strategic. “I think the lawsuit is designed to send a message to the administration: Come sit down and negotiate. Their two lawyers who they hired initially are negotiators; they’re close to the Trump family and Trump business. And I think this is simply a ploy to try to get a resolution.”
{Matzav.com}