CAMBRIDGE, USA – Former President Barack Obama has publicly praised Harvard University’s decision to reject the Trump administration’s demands to change its hiring, admissions, and teaching policies, which the White House had claimed were essential in combating antisemitism on campus.
This marks Obama’s first social media post to criticize the Trump administration since he left office.
In his post, Obama, a Harvard alum, described the Trump administration’s move to freeze over $2 billion in federal funds to the university as “unlawful and ham-handed.”
He emphasized the importance of academic freedom, stating that Harvard had set a powerful example for other institutions by resisting government interference in educational matters.
“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 mutual respect,” Obama wrote.
Obama, who graduated from Harvard Law School in 1991, has generally refrained from direct political criticisms on social media since his presidency, instead focusing on personal messages and thoughts on sports.
His recent post is significant as it directly challenges the Trump administration’s approach to higher education and its attempts to influence university policies through threats of federal funding cuts.
Harvard’s decision to defy the administration has sparked a wider conversation about the relationship between the government and private universities.
Several university officials, including hundreds of faculty members at Yale University, have rallied behind Harvard, signing letters that warn against the growing attacks on academic freedom.
The faculty members expressed concern about the increasing pressure on American universities, saying it threatens fundamental democratic principles, including free expression and academic autonomy.
As many U.S. universities rely on federal funding, especially for scientific research, the Trump administration’s pressure on institutions has had significant financial implications.
Since returning to office in January, Trump has been vocal in his criticism of top universities, accusing them of failing to protect Jewish students during the protests against the war in Gaza and U.S. support for Israel.
This has led to several elite institutions, including Stanford University, freezing hiring and making budget cuts in response to the threat of losing federal funds.
However, in contrast to Harvard’s resistance, Columbia University agreed to some of Trump’s demands earlier this month, while other institutions like MIT followed Harvard’s lead and rejected the administration’s demands on Monday, April 14, 2025.
Despite mounting criticism, Trump has doubled down on his position.
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, he further threatened to revoke Harvard’s tax-exempt status, claiming that the university’s actions could undermine its tax-exempt status, a benefit that institutions like Harvard, along with many charities and religious groups, rely on.
This valuable tax break can be rescinded if these institutions engage in political activities or deviate from their stated missions.
