Harvard's Showdown with Trump

The Trump administration continues to target America's elite universities, which it accuses of failing to adequately combat antisemitism on campuses and practicing discrimination under the guise of diversity. Having previously focused on Columbia University, the administration announced the cancellation of approximately $400 million in funding, forcing the university to compromise by altering its protest and security policies. After turning its attention to Harvard University for some time, the administration declared it would revoke $6 billion in research grants. Most recently, the Trump administration canceled $100 million in federal contracts and suspended the university's ability to admit international students. This aggressive targeting of America's most prestigious institutions suggests conservatives are attempting to open a new front in the culture wars by pressuring what they view as bastions of liberalism.

HIGHER EDUCATION AS A NEW BATTLEGROUND IN THE CULTURE WARS

American political culture wars have traditionally revolved around issues like abortion, gun rights, racial diversity, and gender. These highly mobilizing topics have become central to both Democratic and Republican electoral strategies. The 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade marked a turning point in these culture wars, particularly regarding abortion - a long-standing conservative battle. While Trump claimed credit for this "victory" due to his reshaping of the Court's conservative majority, we've observed him shifting focus to other issues, likely wary of potential backlash from women voters.

Among Trump's newly emphasized targets are university diversity policies in admissions. Claims that Jewish students face pressure and violence during anti-Israel protests on campuses have been framed as institutional failure to combat antisemitism. Pro-Israel groups' successful efforts to brand Palestinian protests as antisemitic actions helped legitimize federal intervention. During his campaign, Trump promised to deport protesters, and upon taking office, his administration began issuing ultimatums to universities targeting both diversity programs and foreign students. We're now witnessing conservatives transforming higher education into a new culture war battleground by attacking elite American universities they've long considered liberal strongholds.

HARVARD'S RESISTANCE AND INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

Columbia University attempted to respond to pressure from the Trump administration - including threats to withdraw federal funding - by promising to review its internal regulations and policies. Criticized for appearing to capitulate to Washington's demands, Columbia currently operates under an interim president following one rector's resignation during this process. Harvard established a commission to investigate antisemitism allegations on campus and produce a report, but chose to challenge the administration's demands in court. In retaliation for suing the government, Harvard now risks losing its certification to admit international students. The university's president argues that cutting federal funds would not only harm Harvard but damage America's research and innovation capabilities - key drivers of the U.S. economy.

Given Harvard's substantial financial and legal resources, its success in court battles against the Trump administration wouldn't be surprising. However, the federal government's instruction to consulates worldwide to suspend student visa interviews represents a severe blow to American universities. International students comprise 27% of Harvard's student body, with most paying full tuition. The potential loss of this revenue would critically impact Harvard and many other institutions. Since international student admissions constitute a primary revenue source not just for elite universities but many smaller colleges as well, these institutions may suffer even more than Harvard and Columbia. Hundreds of universities facing lost revenue from international students will likely lobby the Trump administration, which might partially reverse its decision - though probably maintain restrictions specifically targeting liberal strongholds like Harvard.

The Trump administration's pressure on universities to abandon diversity policies and limit international students can be interpreted as an effort by white conservative factions to pull elite universities - which they view as liberal and progressive - toward a more nationalist line. These groups, uncomfortable with America's increasing racial diversity, now appear to be targeting what they see as liberal university bastions in their attempt to reshape immigration and diversity policies. By arguing that race-based admissions policies discriminate against white applicants, the Trump administration has shown it won't hesitate to interfere in both curriculum content and student selection processes. While financially powerful universities like Harvard may resist, many others won't even attempt the fight. This will likely result in American universities becoming less internationally diverse, ultimately undermining the nation's global leadership in higher education.