The Trump administration has escalated its confrontation with Harvard University, threatening to revoke the school’s ability to host international students and proposing to strip its tax-exempt status. These moves come amid growing tension over campus protests, diversity policies, and what officials describe as rising antisemitism.
Late Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security demanded Harvard submit detailed records of foreign student visa holders allegedly involved in “illegal and violent activities” by the end of April. International students currently represent about 27% of the student body. At the same time, the department canceled two federal grants to Harvard worth a combined $2.7 million.
The federal government had already frozen more than $2 billion in funding to Harvard, including multi-year research grants and contracts. These actions followed Harvard’s decision to publicly oppose certain government demands related to campus policies on speech, diversity, and student discipline.
On social media, former President Donald Trump criticized Harvard’s stance and suggested the university should lose its nonprofit status if it continues supporting what he referred to as “political, ideological, and terrorist-inspired sickness.” Tax-exempt status allows universities to receive significant donations from benefactors seeking tax deductions—a key factor in Harvard’s growth into the wealthiest university in the U.S., with an endowment of $53 billion.
This crackdown marks the seventh time Trump’s administration has frozen or withheld federal support from elite academic institutions accused of defying conservative political positions. The administration claims these colleges promote “woke” ideologies and fail to address antisemitism.
In a letter sent to Harvard last week, federal officials called for a sweeping set of changes, including governance reforms, revisions to admissions policies, and an end to official recognition of certain student groups. The letter also urged Harvard to conduct a comprehensive review of diversity-related initiatives.
Harvard President Alan Garber firmly rejected the administration’s demands. On Monday, he released a statement affirming the university’s commitment to its principles, stating that Harvard would not compromise its independence or constitutional rights. The university reaffirmed its position Thursday, emphasizing that it remains committed to legal compliance and expects the federal government to do the same.
Harvard also called on federal authorities to base any action on clear evidence, adhere to proper legal procedures, and uphold constitutional protections for individuals affiliated with the university.
Prominent conservative activist Christopher Rufo encouraged the administration to cut off all federal funds to Harvard and revoke its nonprofit status. He compared the situation to federal enforcement during the Civil Rights Movement and criticized Harvard for what he described as discrimination against white and Asian American students, referencing events such as race-specific graduation celebrations and performances.
Tax law experts have warned that revoking Harvard’s tax exemption could set a dangerous precedent, allowing future administrations to punish political opponents under the guise of tax enforcement. While nonprofit status is generally easy to maintain under IRS rules, it can also be quickly revoked if those rules are violated.
Former Harvard president and ex-Treasury Secretary Larry Summers denounced the threat to use the IRS as a political tool, warning that such actions would damage democratic institutions. “If this directive is not reversed,” he said, “the administration will have taken another step away from the rule of law.”
The conflict with Harvard is seen as a significant test case for the administration’s broader agenda of reshaping higher education. The campaign began with similar actions aimed at Columbia University, which initially cooperated with some federal requests. However, after Harvard pushed back, Columbia’s leadership also took a firmer stance, signaling growing resistance among academic institutions.
Trump’s crackdown is part of a broader effort to pressure schools amid rising pro-Palestinian activism on campuses. The administration’s demands include tougher disciplinary actions for protesters and increased scrutiny of international students perceived as being “hostile to American values.”