THE DAILY BLAST with Greg Sargent Trump’s Angry New Attack on Harvard Is Already Blowing Up in His Face
May 23, 2025
Jonathan Friedman, a commentator on free speech and academic issues at PEN America, joins to discuss Trump's recent attacks on Harvard University. They explore the controversial decision to revoke Harvard's right to enroll foreign students and the potential legal fallout from such government overreach. Friedman emphasizes how this move is backfiring, igniting solidarity among universities and drawing public support for academic freedom. He also examines the broader implications for higher education and the necessity for institutions to stand firm against political pressures.
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Trump's Retaliation Against Harvard
- Trump's administration revoked Harvard's ability to enroll foreign students as retaliation for noncompliance with information demands.
- This move signals a threat to other universities, raising the stakes in federal-university relations.
Harsh Impact on International Students
- Revoking visas disrupts students' academic and personal lives, forcing many to uproot years of study and research.
- This aggressive policy undermines the U.S. as a welcoming center for global knowledge and innovation.
Unprecedented Data Demands on Universities
- Harvard has resisted unjustified government demands for vast data on foreign students, highlighting an abuse of power.
- The broad surveillance requests evoke chilling comparisons to dystopian control and violate proper legal norms.
