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Trump labels Harvard a ‘joke’ and calls for funding penalties
In a bold move, US President Donald Trump criticized Harvard University as a “joke” on Wednesday, demanding that the institution forfeit its government research contracts following its refusal to comply with requests for external political oversight.
According to Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Trump administration is also contemplating banning Harvard from enrolling foreign students unless the university concedes to specific stipulations, which has prompted discussions about possibly revoking its tax-exempt status.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed his disdain:
“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. Harvard is a JOKE, teaches Hate and Stupidity, and should no longer receive Federal Funds.”
Trump’s frustration stems from Harvard’s steadfast rejection of government oversight concerning its admissions and hiring practices, leading him to order a freeze on $2.2 billion in federal funding to the university.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also rescinded $2.7 million in research grants to Harvard and threatened the university’s ability to enroll international students unless it provides detailed reports on visa-holders’ “illegal and violent activities.”
A DHS statement indicated, “If Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students.” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has accused the university of succumbing to “antisemitism” in its responses.
In a show of defiance, Harvard President Alan Garber articulated the institution’s commitment to its independence, emphasizing that the university will not compromise its constitutional rights.
In related news, other significant developments include:
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland has traveled to El Salvador to address concerns regarding Trump’s administration and the deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García. In hopes of meeting Ábrego García, the senator previously remarked that the case could lead the US into a constitutional crisis, alleging that the Trump administration was financially incentivizing the Salvadoran government to detain him.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration during a White House briefing, asserting that Democrats are refusing to “accept the will of the American people” and reiterated claims regarding Ábrego García’s alleged gang affiliations. “Nothing will change the fact that Ábrego García will never be a Maryland father. He will never live in the United States of America again,” she stated.
Support for Harvard is growing, with numerous Democratic politicians and prestigious universities across the nation uniting behind it. However, the Trump administration remains adamant, threatening to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status unless it issues an apology.
In the UK, officials are enhancing security measures concerning sensitive trade documents amid the ongoing tariff conflict instigated by Trump. This change reflects the distress in the historically strong UK-US relationship, with British civil servants adopting stricter classifications to safeguard trade negotiation materials.
Trump proposed a controversial “self-deportation program,” which would financially incentivize undocumented immigrants to leave the United States voluntarily, allowing for the possibility of legal re-entry for those deemed “good.”
The Department of Health and Human Services is reportedly facing potential budget cuts amounting to $40 billion, which could significantly affect discretionary spending.
Jerome Powell, chair of the US Federal Reserve, expressed concern that Trump’s tariffs are creating a “challenging scenario” for monetary policy, potentially exacerbating inflation rates. These remarks came amidst volatility in the US stock markets following a new trade restriction affecting chip manufacturer Nvidia.
The newly appointed health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., stated in an inaugural press conference that the recent increase in autism diagnoses supports claims of an “epidemic” linked to an environmental toxin, though advocates argue that the rise is primarily due to improved detection and awareness.
California files lawsuit against Trump’s ‘illegal’ tariffs
California is set to file a federal lawsuit challenging Donald Trump’s so-called “illegal” tariffs, alleging the President exceeded his authority and inflicted “immediate and irreparable harm” on the state’s economy.
The lawsuit, spearheaded by California Governor Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta, marks a significant challenge to Trump’s erratic tariff policies. According to the suit, the US Constitution reserves the power to impose tariffs exclusively for Congress. California’s officials argue that Trump’s emergency power claims to escalate the trade conflict unlawfully threaten the state’s economy.
“No state is poised to lose more than the state of California,” Governor Newsom stated, while introducing the lawsuit at a press conference held at an almond farm. He emphasized the seriousness of the situation and cautioned that it’s not something easily reversible.
Trump has issued a series of tariff-related declarations under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), frequently changing course on trade policies with US partners.
The lawsuit seeks a court ruling to declare Trump’s tariff orders “unlawful and void,” demanding that the Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Protection cease enforcement of these measures.
“The president is yet again acting as if he’s above the law. He isn’t,” Bonta noted, emphasizing that this marks the 14th legal challenge pursued by the state against the Trump administration in a short span. “Bottom line: Trump doesn’t have the singular power to radically upend the country’s economic landscape. That’s not how our democracy works.”
Source
www.theguardian.com