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
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace
Member of the Ansar Allah Political Bureau, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti: The Israeli aggression on Yemen will not deter us from continuing to support Gaza, no matter the sacrifices
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Israeli aggression targeted the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street, southwest of the capital, Sanaa, with several raids

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

Australia sees unprecedented pro-Palestine protests across 40 cities

Irish band silenced at UK festival for holding Palestinian flag

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

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

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