Obama defends Harvard after financial pressure from Trump administration
Barack Obama. Photo: Getty images
Former US President Barack Obama has publicly supported Harvard University, which has come under pressure from the Donald Trump administration after freezing $2.3 billion in federal funding. In his address on the social network X, Obama criticised the government’s attempts to interfere with the academic freedom of universities.
“Harvard has set an example for other universities by firmly rejecting an illegal and clumsy attempt to curtail academic freedom. It also provides an environment where students are free to debate, explore and grow,” Obama said.
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and… https://t.co/gAu9UUqgjF
Harvard, where Obama received his law degree and became the first black editor-in-chief of the Harvard Law Review, issued an official statement in response to the administration’s pressure:
“No government – regardless of political orientation – has the right to dictate what universities should teach, who they should admit or hire, and what research areas they should develop,” said Harvard President Alan Garber.
The Trump administration accuses Harvard of “condoning anti-Semitism” and demands a massive curtailment of DEI (diversity, equality, inclusion) programmes. The university has also been offered an “opinion audit” of students and faculty, which, according to the administration, is an unprecedented attack on freedom of speech.
“We will not agree to such demands. Harvard will not compromise its independence and constitutional rights,” Garber said.
This conflict is gaining political weight, as it is not only about education, but also about the federal attempt to control the ideological climate in the most prestigious academic institutions in the United States.
