Former US President Barack Obama has spoken out in support of Harvard University amid the Trump administration's controversial decision to freeze over $2.3 billion in federal funding. The freeze, which includes $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in multi-year contracts, was imposed following accusations that Harvard failed to comply with civil rights directives and fostered a climate of antisemitism and ideological bias.
Obama, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, praised Harvard for resisting what he called an "unlawful and ham-handed attempt" to suppress academic freedom. "Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom," Obama wrote. He added that the university was taking "concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect."
Harvard stands firm against political interference
The freeze came after Harvard refused to comply with demands from the Trump administration's task force on antisemitism. The task force, operating under the Justice Department's civil rights division, accused Harvard of failing to combat antisemitism on campus and of fostering ideological "capture." The list of demands included eliminating DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, enforcing merit-based admissions and hiring, banning face masks during protests, cooperating with immigration authorities, and revoking recognition or funding for student groups accused of promoting illegal activity.
Read Also: Trump administration freezes $2 billion in US education funds after Harvard refuses demands
In a strong rebuttal, Harvard University President Alan Garber issued a public statement asserting the university's independence. As posted on Harvard's official X account, Garber declared, "No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue." Garber further described the government's intervention as "politically motivated" and warned that the administration's actions threatened constitutional protections around academic freedom.
An ideological battle over higher education
The Harvard freeze is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to "de-woke" elite educational institutions. More than 60 universities have been warned of similar funding penalties, with several already affected. Columbia University lost $400 million in federal funds and saw the resignation of its interim president, while Princeton and Brown faced freezes on $210 million and $510 million, respectively.
According to The Washington Post, Columbia was required to make significant disciplinary and security reforms, including actions in response to pro-Palestinian protests. The Guardian reported that the University of Pennsylvania lost $175 million due to its policies on transgender participation in sports. Institutions like Johns Hopkins University, which lost $800 million, had to cut thousands of jobs.
Read Also - Trump's crackdown on universities: Why elite institutions are being targeted
This wave of punitive action against elite universities is seen by many as a politically charged effort to reshape academia. As reported by Forbes, the Trump administration's approach relies on an opaque task force of federal officials focused on investigating perceived ideological bias and civil rights violations. Legal experts and civil liberties groups have pushed back, filing lawsuits against what they describe as unconstitutional overreach.
Obama's statement highlights a turning point
Barack Obama's public endorsement of Harvard's resistance adds significant weight to the political and academic debate surrounding the freeze. As a former constitutional law professor and Harvard Law School alumnus, Obama's remarks underscore the broader implications of the federal crackdown. His call for other institutions to "follow suit" may inspire stronger collective resistance among universities currently under review or threatened with funding cuts.
This statement also puts Harvard in a symbolic position—no longer just one of many universities under scrutiny, but a standard-bearer for academic freedom and institutional independence in an increasingly politicized climate. While Harvard's financial power makes it more insulated than others, the core issue remains whether the federal government has the authority to impose such conditions on private educational institutions.
Harvard's financial resilience amid the freeze
Though the funding freeze is unprecedented in scope, Harvard is better positioned than most to withstand the impact. As reported by Forbes, the university's $53.2 billion endowment enables it to cover operational costs and maintain research activities even without federal support. In fiscal year 2023, federal research funding made up only 1.3% of Harvard's total revenue. This financial buffer allows Harvard to push back without immediate financial strain.
The university's investment strategy has proven highly effective, with the endowment growing by nearly $5 billion in 2024. Harvard's diversified income—from private donations, tuition, investments, and other sources—gives it the flexibility to continue functioning independently of federal funding, at least in the short to medium term.
Obama, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, praised Harvard for resisting what he called an "unlawful and ham-handed attempt" to suppress academic freedom. "Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom," Obama wrote. He added that the university was taking "concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and mutual respect."
Harvard has set an example for other higher-ed institutions – rejecting an unlawful and ham-handed attempt to stifle academic freedom, while taking concrete steps to make sure all students at Harvard can benefit from an environment of intellectual inquiry, rigorous debate and… https://t.co/gAu9UUqgjF
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) April 15, 2025
Harvard stands firm against political interference
The freeze came after Harvard refused to comply with demands from the Trump administration's task force on antisemitism. The task force, operating under the Justice Department's civil rights division, accused Harvard of failing to combat antisemitism on campus and of fostering ideological "capture." The list of demands included eliminating DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, enforcing merit-based admissions and hiring, banning face masks during protests, cooperating with immigration authorities, and revoking recognition or funding for student groups accused of promoting illegal activity.
Read Also: Trump administration freezes $2 billion in US education funds after Harvard refuses demands
In a strong rebuttal, Harvard University President Alan Garber issued a public statement asserting the university's independence. As posted on Harvard's official X account, Garber declared, "No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue." Garber further described the government's intervention as "politically motivated" and warned that the administration's actions threatened constitutional protections around academic freedom.
An ideological battle over higher education
The Harvard freeze is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration to "de-woke" elite educational institutions. More than 60 universities have been warned of similar funding penalties, with several already affected. Columbia University lost $400 million in federal funds and saw the resignation of its interim president, while Princeton and Brown faced freezes on $210 million and $510 million, respectively.
According to The Washington Post, Columbia was required to make significant disciplinary and security reforms, including actions in response to pro-Palestinian protests. The Guardian reported that the University of Pennsylvania lost $175 million due to its policies on transgender participation in sports. Institutions like Johns Hopkins University, which lost $800 million, had to cut thousands of jobs.
Read Also - Trump's crackdown on universities: Why elite institutions are being targeted
This wave of punitive action against elite universities is seen by many as a politically charged effort to reshape academia. As reported by Forbes, the Trump administration's approach relies on an opaque task force of federal officials focused on investigating perceived ideological bias and civil rights violations. Legal experts and civil liberties groups have pushed back, filing lawsuits against what they describe as unconstitutional overreach.
Obama's statement highlights a turning point
Barack Obama's public endorsement of Harvard's resistance adds significant weight to the political and academic debate surrounding the freeze. As a former constitutional law professor and Harvard Law School alumnus, Obama's remarks underscore the broader implications of the federal crackdown. His call for other institutions to "follow suit" may inspire stronger collective resistance among universities currently under review or threatened with funding cuts.
This statement also puts Harvard in a symbolic position—no longer just one of many universities under scrutiny, but a standard-bearer for academic freedom and institutional independence in an increasingly politicized climate. While Harvard's financial power makes it more insulated than others, the core issue remains whether the federal government has the authority to impose such conditions on private educational institutions.
Harvard's financial resilience amid the freeze
Though the funding freeze is unprecedented in scope, Harvard is better positioned than most to withstand the impact. As reported by Forbes, the university's $53.2 billion endowment enables it to cover operational costs and maintain research activities even without federal support. In fiscal year 2023, federal research funding made up only 1.3% of Harvard's total revenue. This financial buffer allows Harvard to push back without immediate financial strain.
The university's investment strategy has proven highly effective, with the endowment growing by nearly $5 billion in 2024. Harvard's diversified income—from private donations, tuition, investments, and other sources—gives it the flexibility to continue functioning independently of federal funding, at least in the short to medium term.
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