The Daily Harvard Is Trying to Resist Trump. It Might Not Be Working.
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May 29, 2025 
Michael S. Schmidt, an investigative reporter for The New York Times, dives into the brewing conflict between Harvard University and the Trump administration. He examines threats to federal funding and student visas, revealing how far the government will go to impose its agenda. Schmidt also discusses Harvard's legal challenges centered on First Amendment rights and the potential repercussions for international students caught in the crossfire. The episode highlights broader themes of academic independence and the implications for higher education.
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Harvard's Negotiation Anecdote
- Harvard was negotiating quietly with the Trump administration about changes regarding anti-Semitism and DEI policies.
- They requested a demand letter for clarity, but received an extreme letter unexpectedly in the middle of the night.
Extreme Demands on Harvard's Independence
- The administration's letter demanded control over admissions, hiring, and curriculum.
- This would undermine Harvard's academic independence in unprecedented ways for a private university.
Harvard Publicly Rejects Demands
- Harvard publicly rebuffed the administration's extreme demands over one weekend.
- They then released the letter publicly to reveal how unreasonable the demands were.