Former President Barack Obama, a Harvard alum, praised his alma mater for defying the Trump administration's demands that the university eliminate DEI programs and limit international students.
Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has made reshaping higher education a priority, threatening to pull federal research funding unless universities fall in line. His administration’s new rules—set to take effect by August 2025—target everything from DEI programs to international student admissions, while demanding “viewpoint” diversity and threatening to shut down noncompliant departments.
Harvard isn’t having it. On Monday, the university became the first major institution to push back, accusing the White House of trying to “control” its community.
President Alan Garber said the demands violate First Amendment protections and “threaten our values” as a private institution. “No government,” he said, should be telling universities “what…to teach, whom…to admit and hire,” or what to research.
In response to this news, Obama—who graduated from Harvard Law School—said:
"Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions—rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit."
You can see what Obama wrote below.
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions - rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking steps to make sure students can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect. Let’s hope others follow suit.
— Barack Obama (@barackobama.bsky.social) April 14, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Many echoed Obama's praise for Harvard in the face of the Trump administration's attacks.
Keep it up Harvard and don’t give in to this corrupt regime!
— aberdoom.bsky.social (@aberdoom.bsky.social) April 15, 2025 at 5:41 AM
I'm amazed at the brave stand of our finest universities.
— Melody Lee Lacy (@melodyleelacy.smokefleet.net) April 14, 2025 at 11:58 PM
Hope is a great first step when you aspire to reach a higher goal. However, I rarely see it succeed on its own. Harvard deserves credit for its integrity and for being an example of action.
— Marielle Teasdale (@freebeing.bsky.social) April 15, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Let us hope Harvard sustains its decision and does not cave.
— Locksmith (@locksmithprime.bsky.social) April 15, 2025 at 10:11 AM
I am so proud of them. They are what it means to be a real American institution and they will be remembered for standing up against tyranny.
— Alley Kat (@paperbackwriter99.bsky.social) April 15, 2025 at 11:49 AM
One MUST not capitulate to authoritarian thugs! Stand up to them! It’s the only way through this.
— 🌸🐱🌸 (@threekitties.bsky.social) April 15, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Be like Harvard, not like Columbia. Be like Costco, not like Target. Be like Perkins Coie not like Paul Weiss. Courage is not easy, it can be costly but the stakes are existential. Show up on the right side of history or forever be a footnote to cowardice. Disdain has no statute of limitations.
— Celina (@citizenalpha.bsky.social) April 15, 2025 at 9:59 AM
After Harvard rejected the administration’s demands, the Department of Education’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism hit back—freezing $2.2 billion in multi-year grants and another $60 million in contracts.
Earlier that day, Harvard’s attorneys William Burck and Robert Hur—both conservatives—called it “unfortunate” that the government was ignoring the university’s efforts over the last 15 months to create a supportive campus climate.
Trump suggested Harvard’s tax-exempt status should be on the chopping block too. He fumed on Truth Social that the school should be taxed “as a political entity” if it continues pushing what he described as “political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness.’”
Tax-exempt status, he reminded everyone, is “totally contingent on acting in the PUBLIC INTEREST!” If revoked, the loss could cost Harvard millions annually.
