President Donald Trump intensified his ongoing dispute with Harvard University on Wednesday, accusing the prestigious institution of showing significant disrespect towards the nation. In a statement made to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump expressed his belief that Harvard should cease opposing his policies.
"But Harvard wants to fight," Trump declared. "They want to show how smart they are, and they're getting their a-- kicked." He further emphasized that the university is only digging itself into a deeper hole with their actions.
The President has been vocal about his accusations of antisemitism against Harvard, claiming that the university is benefiting from billions in federal funding. "I think they're dealing very badly. Every time they fight, they lose another $250 million," Trump remarked, adding that a recent discovery revealed an additional $100 million loss.
Trump also reiterated his stance that Harvard has admitted too many foreign students, asserting that the school has not done enough to ensure that these students are not problematic. "They're taking people from areas of the world that are very radicalized; we don't want them making trouble in our country," he stated. He proposed that Harvard should limit its foreign student enrollment to 15%, arguing that this would create opportunities for American students who aspire to attend the university.
"We have people who want to go to Harvard and other schools. They can't get in because we have foreign students there," Trump continued. "But I want to make sure that the foreign students are people that can love our country."
Last month, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sent a letter to Harvard demanding detailed information on every international student holding an F-1 visa, which permits nonimmigrants to study in the U.S. Noem warned that failure to comply would lead to the withdrawal of the school's Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.
In response, Harvard, which has launched legal action against the administration concerning funding cuts, stated that it had provided the federal government with extensive data regarding its entire F-1 visa student population. However, Noem announced last week that she had revoked the university's SEVP certification, preventing it from accepting foreign students.
Harvard quickly filed a lawsuit the following day, and a judge granted a temporary order blocking the enforcement of the revocation. When asked about a group of Jewish students at Harvard who protested against the federal government's perceived threats and funding cuts, Trump dismissed their concerns. He reiterated his accusations of antisemitism directed at Harvard and other elite institutions.
"They're hurting themselves. They're fighting," Trump said, referencing Columbia University and labeling their actions as "very antisemitic." He noted that while Columbia is cooperating with the administration to find a solution, Harvard appears intent on continuing its battle.
The ongoing conflict between President Trump and Harvard University highlights the larger national debate surrounding foreign student enrollment, antisemitism, and the allocation of federal funds to educational institutions. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how both parties will navigate this contentious landscape.
