The Trump administration announced on Friday its intention to obtain Harvard University’s records regarding foreign funding from the past decade, marking a significant escalation in its campaign against the prestigious institution. This move is part of a broader crackdown on U.S. universities, sparked by pro-Palestinian protests and various cultural issues, including transgender rights and diversity initiatives.
The administration has threatened to withhold federal funding from institutions that do not comply with its demands. Critics, including rights advocates, have condemned these actions as an attack on free speech and academic freedom.
According to U.S. law, universities must report foreign donations exceeding $250,000 in a year. In a letter to Harvard President Alan Garber, the U.S. Department of Education accused the university of making “incomplete and inaccurate” disclosures between 2014 and 2019. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that the records request is aimed at ensuring Harvard is not influenced by foreign entities, although no evidence was provided to support this claim.
Harvard responded by asserting its longstanding compliance with reporting requirements, noting that its reports include information on gifts and contracts from foreign sources.
The letter also requested records regarding expelled foreign students, research conducted by those students, and a list of visiting scholars affiliated with foreign governments.
In recent weeks, the Trump administration has reviewed $9 billion in federal contracts and grants to Harvard, proposed restrictions on campus policies, and threatened to revoke the university’s tax-exempt status. Additionally, it has frozen $2.3 billion in funding following Harvard’s refusal to comply with several demands.
The administration’s actions have intensified in the wake of protests against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, with Trump labeling demonstrators as threats to U.S. foreign policy. Protesters argue that their advocacy for Palestinian rights is being mischaracterized as support for extremism and antisemitism.
Furthermore, the administration is working to deport certain foreign protesters and has revoked hundreds of visas nationwide, affecting several other universities, including Columbia, Princeton, and the University of Pennsylvania.
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