Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Hamas official says despite this, Hamas leadership is currently undertaking a thorough review of the new proposal
Hamas official says the response fails to meet any of the just and legitimate demands of our people
Hamas official says it is clear that the Israeli response fundamentally seeks to entrench the occupation
Reuters citing Hamas official: Group received Israeli response to Witkoff proposal
Sources to Al Mayadeen: The news regarding a press conference tonight by the head of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, Khalil Al-Hayya, is false.
Lebanese Ministry of Health: One person was martyred in an Israeli drone strike on the outskirts of Nabatieh al-Fawqa
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The death toll in the al-Bureij camp massacre has risen to 19
Nicolas Maduro: Maria Corina Machado and imperialism wanted to spread violence and chaos so there would be no elections.
Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro: We were able to neutralize 60 attacks on oil refineries and oil facilities and arrest more than 70 individuals involved.
CNN citing sources: Talks between Washington and Tehran are close to reaching a comprehensive agreement that could be concluded during the next meeting.

Trump threatens Harvard's tax status over 'Federal defiance'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 15 Apr 2025 23:05
3 Min Read

The Trump administration has justified its actions as part of a broader crackdown ona alleged antisemitism on college campuses.

Listen
  • x
  • Pedestrians walk through the gates of Harvard Yard at Harvard University, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
    Pedestrians walk through the gates of Harvard Yard at Harvard University, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

US President Donald Trump escalated his confrontation with elite US universities on Tuesday, threatening to revoke Harvard University's tax-exempt status unless it agrees to sweeping federal oversight. The warning comes just a day after the administration froze $2.2 billion in federal funding earmarked for the university.

"Non-profit Harvard should lose its Tax Exempt Status and be Taxed as a Political Entity," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, adding that tax exemption is "totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST."

The Trump administration has justified its actions as part of a broader crackdown on alleged antisemitism on college campuses, particularly in the wake of pro-Palestinian protests during "Israel's" ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Harvard has drawn particular scrutiny for refusing to comply with federal demands, including proposed changes to its admissions process, academic governance, and departmental oversight.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt echoed Trump's remarks, stating, "Trump wants to see Harvard apologize. And Harvard should apologize."

The pressure campaign is not limited to Harvard. Columbia University recently agreed to federal supervision of its Middle Eastern studies department under threat of losing $400 million in aid.

Related News

Japan universities offer haven to foreign scholars amid US crackdown

US halts student Visa processing amid Trump's social media scrutiny

More broadly, the administration has issued similar ultimatums to universities and law firms nationwide, pressing them to abandon diversity policies and instead align with ideologically driven federal priorities.

According to reports, Trump's team is demanding the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at Harvard, as well as changes to merit-based admissions that would bar consideration of race. The administration also wants federal oversight of academic departments accused of so-called "antisemitic bias", particularly in Middle Eastern and political studies.

Read more: Heads of Harvard Mideast studies center to resign under Trump pressure

Harvard, however, has refused to yield. President Alan Garber rejected the administration's demands outright, writing, "Neither Harvard nor any other private university can allow itself to be taken over by the federal government." He added that the institution will not "negotiate over its independence or its constitutional rights."

The university has already begun taking financial measures to mitigate the funding freeze, issuing $750 million in bonds as a buffer against the sudden loss of federal support.

Former President Barack Obama weighed in on the dispute, defending Harvard's stance. "Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions — rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom," he posted on X. "Let's hope other institutions follow suit."

Harvard's student newspaper, The Crimson, praised the leadership's position, writing in an editorial, "Harvard sent its clearest, most courageous message to date: Our values aren't for sale." Still, the paper warned that solidarity across academia would be essential: "Harvard cannot stand alone."

As the standoff continues, it has become a flashpoint in the broader national debate over academic independence, free expression, and federal overreach—raising the stakes for how universities across the country will navigate political demands in the coming months.

  • pro-Palestine protest
  • Trump administration
  • Columbia University
  • Harvard

Most Read

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump tensions

US judges quietly consider private security amid Trump pressures

  • US & Canada
  • 25 May 2025
Rep. Randy Fine, R-Palm Bay, answers a question about his House Bill 3-C: Independent Special Districts in the House of Representatives April 20, 2022, at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Florida (AP/Phil Sears)

GOP lawmaker says Gaza needs same end as WWII Japan, with nukes

  • MENA
  • 23 May 2025
President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrive to a news conference in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington (AP)

Rift widens: Trump, Netanyahu clash in heated phone call over Iran

  • Politics
  • 26 May 2025
Iran advisor reveals details of US-Iran nuclear talks to Al Mayadeen

Iran advisor reveals details of US-Iran nuclear talks: Al Mayadeen

  • MENA
  • 24 May 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces he will suspend his presidential campaign during a news conference on Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP)
US & Canada

Trump-era health report cited fabricated scientific sources: NYT

From left to right, Dua Lipa, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tilda Swinton, Gary Lineker (AP)
Palestine

Dua Lipa, other stars press PM over UK complicity in Gaza 'horrors'

Republican Thomas Massie of Kentucky speaks during a TV news interview at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan. 12, 2024 (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)
US & Canada

GOP Rep. Massie calls for ending all US military aid to 'Israel'

A seal reading "Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation" is displayed on the J. Edgar Hoover FBI building in Washington, DC, Aug. 9, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)
US & Canada

FBI arrests intel worker over leak plot tied to Trump

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS