The Administration’s attack on the academy has a singular purpose — to eliminate our freedoms — our freedom to speak, our freedom to write, our freedom to disagree, our freedom to read, our freedom to learn the truth, and, ultimately, our freedom to think.
These are academic freedoms, but they are not academic. These are the freedoms for which our forefathers, each an immigrant, by birth or heritage, fought and died on hallowed grounds bearing Lexington, Gettysburg, Belleau Wood, Normandy, and countless other sacred names.
A despotic, demonic, self-styled king now seeks to intimidate and silence our nation. Harvard’s obeisance offers the perfect lesson for others to follow. But Harvard will not kiss any rings, bend any knees, or bow its head. Nor will any true American. Instead, we stand with that Harvard man who proclaimed our mission with words that echo from generation to generation:
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans--born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage--and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Here is a letter, from Harvard’s President, Alan Garber, to read and share as we each defend our inalienable rights in peaceful ways, large and small. The torch is in our hands.
Dear Members of the Harvard Community,
Over the course of the past week, the federal government has taken several actions following Harvard’s refusal to comply with its illegal demands. Although some members of the administration have said their April 11 letter was sent by mistake, other statements and their actions suggest otherwise. Doubling down on the letter’s sweeping and intrusive demands—which would impose unprecedented and improper control over the University—the government has, in addition to the initial freeze of $2.2 billion in funding, considered taking steps to freeze an additional $1 billion in grants, initiated numerous investigations of Harvard’s operations, threatened the education of international students, and announced that it is considering a revocation of Harvard’s 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. These actions have stark real-life consequences for patients, students, faculty, staff, researchers, and the standing of American higher education in the world.
Moments ago, we filed a lawsuit to halt the funding freeze because it is unlawful and beyond the government’s authority. I encourage you to read our complaint.
The consequences of the government’s overreach will be severe and long-lasting. Research that the government has put in jeopardy includes efforts to improve the prospects of children who survive cancer, to understand at the molecular level how cancer spreads throughout the body, to predict the spread of infectious disease outbreaks, and to ease the pain of soldiers wounded on the battlefield. As opportunities to reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson's disease are on the horizon, the government is slamming on the brakes. The victims will be future patients and their loved ones who will suffer the heartbreak of illnesses that might have been prevented or treated more effectively. Indiscriminately slashing medical, scientific, and technological research undermines the nation’s ability to save American lives, foster American success, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation.
The government has cited the University’s response to antisemitism as a justification for its unlawful action. As a Jew and as an American, I know very well that there are valid concerns about rising antisemitism. To address it effectively requires understanding, intention, and vigilance. Harvard takes that work seriously. We will continue to fight hate with the urgency it demands as we fully comply with our obligations under the law. That is not only our legal responsibility. It is our moral imperative.
Before taking punitive action, the law requires that the federal government engage with us about the ways we are fighting and will continue to fight antisemitism. Instead, the government’s April 11 demands seek to control whom we hire and what we teach. Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world. We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion. That is how we achieve academic excellence, safeguard open inquiry and freedom of speech, and conduct pioneering research—and how we advance the boundless exploration that propels our nation and its people into a better future.
We acknowledge that we have unfinished business. We need to ensure that the University lives up to its ideals by taking concrete steps to reaffirm a culture of free inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and academic exploration; making changes to our disciplinary systems so they will be more consistent and more effective in ensuring that our students, faculty, and staff take responsibility for their actions; implementing measures to ensure that all members of our community are safe and respected; and adopting important adjustments to the ways we build community—continuing to focus on individuals and their unique characteristics rather than their race. In the days ahead, I will say more about our progress in each of these areas.
We will also soon release the reports of the Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Israeli Bias and the Task Force on Combating Anti-Muslim, Anti-Arab, and Anti-Palestinian Bias. I established these groups last year as part of our efforts to address intolerance in our community. The reports are hard-hitting and painful. They also include recommendations with concrete plans for implementation, which we welcome and embrace. No one in our community should experience bias, intolerance, or bigotry. We believe adoption of the recommendations and other measures will go far toward eradicating those evils on our campus.
The time ahead will demand much from each of us, but I am as confident as ever in our ability to meet our challenges with integrity and resolve, our minds set on the work before us and our hearts committed to the future of our beloved University.
Sincerely,
Alan M. Garber
© 2025 The President and Fellows of Harvard College | Harvard.edu
Harvard University | Cambridge, MA 02138
This attack on leading Universities has nothing to do with fighting antisemitism. It’s all about control and authoritarianism. It’s right out of Hitler's playbook. Fellow Jews, do not be fooled.
Fortunately, the brain drain it created for Germany did not work out too well for Hitler.
This is another case of lose lose. The Trump and Harvard administrations are mirrored in their ability to produce noise over signal.
The woeful position that Harvard is protecting "open inquiry" is good fund raising PR, but it's not credible. If the University can address its colossal ideological biases, that might cure its pedagogical diseases. Maybe.
Stop talking and show us you're serious about "adopting important adjustments to the ways we build community—continuing to focus on individuals and their unique characteristics rather than their race."
But show me the data. Show me the facts. Until then, I don't believe you. Not even a little bit.
Harvard is just another federally funded progressive entitlement.