Harvard’s president reaffirmed the university’s commitment to independence, vowing not to “surrender” to federal overreach. #StandWithHarvard
Boston, MA — President Donald Trump’s latest threat to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status marks a disturbing escalation in his administration’s campaign against academic independence and free inquiry.
On Friday, Trump declared on social media, “We are going to be taking away Harvard’s Tax Exempt Status. It’s what they deserve!” – a move that has appalled educators and legal experts alike, who note that such an action is not only unprecedented but likely unlawful.
Harvard, a nonprofit institution under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code, relies
on its tax-exempt status to fund financial aid, medical research, and innovation.
University officials have warned that stripping this status would divert critical resources from students and research, undermining Harvard’s educational mission and harming society at large. Harvard’s president reaffirmed the university’s commitment to independence, vowing not to “surrender” to federal overreach.
The Trump administration’s assault on Harvard is part of a broader effort to pressure elite universities, particularly those accused by the administration of failing to protect Jewish students during campus protests over the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
In recent weeks, the White House suspended more than $2 billion in federal research funding to Harvard and threatened to pull additional grants, while the IRS and Department of Homeland Security have scrutinized the university’s finances and ability to enroll international students.
Legal experts emphasize that the president cannot unilaterally revoke a university’s tax-exempt status; federal law prohibits the executive branch from directing the IRS to target specific taxpayers, and any such attempt must be reported to an inspector general. Trump’s threats, therefore, are widely seen as political theater designed to intimidate and punish academic institutions that resist his demands.
Despite mounting pressure, Harvard has filed a lawsuit to restore its federal funding and continues to defend its autonomy. The outcome of this legal battle may not be decided until later this summer, but the stakes are clear: at risk is not only Harvard’s financial future but the principle of academic freedom in the United States.
