President Donald Trump recently announced that his administration is on the verge of reaching a deal with Harvard University, potentially within the week. This follows a period of dispute between the two parties concerning funding cuts and restrictions on international students.
Trump addressed the situation on his Truth Social platform, mentioning the possibility of a resolution with Harvard, an Ivy League institution that has sued the administration over billions of dollars in grant cuts and restrictions on international student admissions.
The Trump administration had previously justified its actions against Harvard citing various concerns, including allegations of insufficient action against antisemitic harassment on campus.
According to Trump, his administration is addressing “improprieties” at Harvard, while also acknowledging that individuals within the university have behaved “extremely appropriately” during negotiations and seem dedicated to “doing what is right.” He described a potential settlement as “mindbogglingly’ HISTORIC, and very good for our Country.”
Trump’s statement came shortly after a federal judge in Boston issued an injunction, preventing the Department of Homeland Security from immediately revoking Harvard’s ability to enroll international students. The injunction requires the Department to undergo a lengthy administrative process before potentially revoking Harvard’s certification in the Student and Exchange Visitor Programme, which it now intends to do.
Harvard has not yet commented on Trump’s post. However, the university released a statement welcoming Judge Allison Burroughs’ order and affirming its commitment to defending its rights, along with the rights of its students and scholars.
Harvard has filed two lawsuits aimed at unfreezing approximately $2.5 billion in funding and preventing the administration from blocking international students from attending. The university claims Trump is retaliating against it for refusing to comply with attempts to influence its governance, curriculum, and the ideology of its staff and students, thus violating its free speech rights under the First Amendment.
Judge Burroughs is expected to rule soon on Harvard’s request to continue blocking the implementation of Trump’s proclamation barring foreign nationals from entering the US to study at the university. International students comprise about a quarter of Harvard’s student population.