Harvard Deal Possibility in Preview: Trump Anticipates Potential Agreement within Approximately a Week
A Sizzling Showdown: Harvard vs. Trump Administration - The Latest
Boston - In a fiery Twitter post on June 20, 2025, ex-President Trump announced his administration's ongoing negotiations with Harvard University. Trump suggested a potential deal could be made "over the next week or so" to resolve the ongoing feud, dubbing it "mindbogglingly historic."
The Ivy League powerhouse has been squaring off with the federal government since April when Trump's administration froze billions of dollars in grants, accusing Harvard of failing to combat antisemitic harassment on campus and not adhering to certain governance, hiring, and diversity criteria.
International students, who make up a quarter of Harvard's student body, faced an immediate threat with Trump's administration initially aiming to strip Harvard of its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification, making it impossible for the university to enroll new international students. However, a federal judge in Boston temporarily blocked this move, allowing Harvard to continue its international enrollment in the meantime.
Harvard alleges that Trump has been retaliating against the institution for refusing to bow to administrative demands concerning school governance, curriculum, and faculty and student ideology. The university has filed two lawsuits to unfreeze around $2.5 billion in funding and to prevent restrictions on international student admissions.
Tensions between the two sides continue to escalate, with support pouring in from both friendly and opposing states. While 20 states have backed Harvard in its legal battles, 16 states have sided with the administration.
Harvard has maintained a belligerent stance, vowing to "defend its rights" and continue enrolling international students. As the battle rages on, anticipation for the court's decision and the outcome of settlement talks between Harvard and the Trump administration remains palpable. Stay tuned for further developments.
Insights
- Funding Freeze and Lawsuits: The Trump administration froze over $2.2 billion in grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard. Harvard has filed lawsuits challenging these actions, arguing the administration's motives are politically driven and did not consider reforms already implemented by the university.
- International Student Admissions: The Trump administration initially aimed to revoke Harvard’s SEVP certification, causing significant obstacles for international students. However, a federal judge granted Harvard a preliminary injunction, allowing international enrollment to continue.
- Entry Ban Blocked: A temporary restraining order is in place to block the administration's entry ban for international Harvard students, with a more lasting ruling expected soon.
- Ongoing Settlement Negotiations: Trump announced negotiations for a possible settlement, calling it potentially "mindbogglingly" historic if reached. However, no official settlement has been finalized, and details of the negotiations remain undisclosed.
- The ongoing negotiation between the Trump administration and Harvard University, as announced by Trump on June 20, 2025, is centering around education-and-self-development policies, particularly concerning the funding freeze and ongoing lawsuits.
- The politically charged conflict between Harvard and the Trump administration has expanded to include policy-and-legislation discussions, with the latter targeting online-education opportunities for international students through the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP).
- The ongoing showdown between Harvard and the Trump administration has gained significant attention in general-news media and learning platforms, as it touches on critical issues of education-and-self-development, policy-and-legislation, and the inclusion of students from diverse backgrounds.
