LGR4GM Posted April 17 Report Posted April 17 Donald Trump has effectively declared open war on every institute of higher learning in America. Columbia already capitulated but Harvard, yes Harvard, actually stood up to what can only be describe is massive government overreach, censorship, and threats. The results are predicable, Trump's sycophants and bullyboys are attacking, they have decaled war. IRS, Homeland Security, NIH, all of them have attacked because their Emperor was told no. This is being done under the guise of "fighting antisemitism" which is in itself some antisemitic bullcrap. Criticism of Israel in not antisemitic anymore than criticism of the United States makes you anti-American. It is a fake argument that is being used in an effort to do what Trump does best, extort and control. He wants control over higher education because he needs control over higher education to make sure he controls the thoughts of people. He is lashing out because research universities produce the very types of things that show his administration is already a disaster with leaks, misused funds, and an economic policy so awful it has already wiped up trillions in value. He also knows that Universities will be publishing work that shows his tax policy will instead just be another example of Welfare for Billionaires. Most of you will ignore this. It doesn't impact you right? If the Trump administration can do this to a University, it can do this to a State. If it can do it to a State it can do it to specific States (blue ones). It can do it to specific Counties or specific Cities. Basically Trump will use the power of the presidency as a cudgel to force anyone and everyone into his way of thinking. Your freedom now at risk. The US is about majority rule and minority rights. This is the first step but maybe a quote will work better. "With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censured, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably." https://apnews.com/article/harvard-trump-administration-federal-cuts-037c3f5b259a7577358c5979e701c7c7 Quote The federal government says it’s freezing more than $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard. The hold on funding marks the seventh time the Trump administration has taken such a step at one of the nation’s most elite colleges, in an attempt to force compliance with Trump’s political agenda. Six of the seven schools are in the Ivy League. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2025/apr/17/donald-trump-harvard-stripped-funds-el-salvador-us-politics-latest-updates-news Quote The White House has demanded the oldest university in the US make changes to hiring, admissions and teaching practices - to help fight antisemitism on campus. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has asked for records on what she called the "illegal and violent" activities of its foreign student visa-holders. Harvard earlier said it had taken many steps to address antisemitism, and that demands were an effort to regulate the university's "intellectual conditions". "Harvard can no longer be considered even a decent place of learning, and should not be considered on any list of the World's Great Universities or Colleges," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday. "Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds." https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c1egdy24v7po This isn't Freedom, this is Fear.
LGR4GM Posted April 17 Author Report Posted April 17 https://www.chronicle.com/article/tracking-trumps-higher-ed-agenda Here's a very inclusive list of all of Trumps higher ed shenanigans.
LTS Posted April 18 Report Posted April 18 It's interesting. One might think that a considerable number of alumni would be in the more wealthy segment and potentially Trump supporters. Perhaps they've been critical of their alma matters and support Trump? The best outcome is Harvard continuing to do what it does without the Federal money demonstrating to Trump that his threats are meaningless. The worst thing you can do is capitulate to a bully. Sometimes you have to embrace the suck and demonstrate they have no power over you. Maybe Harvard has to cut a few things here or there or they get some supportive donations, who knows. But caving to Trump only emboldens him more.
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