Trump’s Attacks on Harvard Amplify Anti-Immigrant Agenda and Threaten Academic Freedom

President Donald Trump has intensified his attacks on Harvard University, demanding details about its international students while accusing the institution of harboring “radicalized lunatics.” In a post on his Truth Social platform, he expressed frustration over what he perceives as Harvard’s slow response in providing foreign student lists, which he claims are necessary for national security assessments while belittling the contributions of foreign students to the university.

Trump baselessly asserted that approximately 31% of Harvard’s student body comes from abroad and claimed that these students do not contribute to their education costs. However, official data from Harvard indicates that foreign students actually make up just 27% of the population. This inaccurate portrayal underscores Trump’s tendency to manipulate statistics to further his anti-immigrant agenda.

Trump’s campaign against Harvard has included threats to revoke the university’s ability to enroll foreign students, positioning the institution as unsafe under allegations that it permits anti-American sentiments. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has accused Harvard of fostering violence and antisemitism while insinuating ties to foreign adversaries such as the Chinese Communist Party.

Despite Trump’s aggressive rhetoric, a federal judge recently intervened, temporarily blocking the government’s efforts to revoke Harvard’s foreign student enrollment capability. The court criticized the Administration’s actions as a serious constitutional violation, reflecting the judiciary’s growing resistance to Trump’s authoritarian overreach.

Additionally, Trump has sought to reshape Harvard’s administration and policies, calling for the elimination of diversity programs and compliance with his administration’s ideologically driven agendas. Such demands expose the Trump administration’s broader campaign against academic freedom and diversity, undermining the integrity of academic institutions in favor of partisan interests.