The U.S President Donald Trump has launched fresh attacks on Harvard University.
Trump accused the Ivy League school of delaying critical disclosures regarding its foreign student population.
The escalating dispute reflects broader tensions over campus antisemitism, national security, and the future of federal education funding.
Trump accuses Harvard of hiding radical foreign students
Donald Trump posted on Truth Social accusing Harvard of being “very slow” in turning over lists of foreign students after billions in education spending.
He expressed frustration and claimed that officials need the documents to determine how many “radicalized lunatics” to bar from reentering the United States.
“We are still waiting for the Foreign Student Lists from Harvard so that we can determine, after a ridiculous expenditure of BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, how many radicalized lunatics, troublemakers all, should not be let back into our Country,” Trump wrote on Truth Social Monday.
Additionally, Trump also alleged Harvard’s hesitation was strategic.
“I am considering taking Three Billion Dollars of Grant Money away from a very antisemitic Harvard, and giving it to TRADE SCHOOLS all across our land.”
“What a great investment that would be for the USA, and so badly needed!!!” he wrote.
Trump threatens to pull Harvard funds for trade schools
In a separate post, Trump proposed pulling $3 billion in grant money from Harvard.
He suggested redirecting the funds to trade schools across America, calling it a “great investment.”
Additionally, Trump labeled Harvard as “very antisemitic.”
He accused the university of tolerating pro-Hamas sentiment and failing to protect Jewish students on campus.
Trump’s comments reflect his broader campaign rhetoric aimed at elite institutions and the Biden-era education system, which he claims fosters anti-American values.
DHS warns Harvard over foreign student secrecy
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem informed Harvard that its Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification had been revoked due to noncompliance.
In a letter sent Thursday, Noem accused Harvard of ignoring repeated requests for vital data on nonimmigrant student misconduct and campus safety threats.
The DHS requested records on threats, violent protests, and disciplinary actions involving foreign students.
Harvard allegedly failed to respond adequately.
Noem said the revocation is intended to send a message.
She emphasized that universities must protect national security and reject antisemitism and anti-American rhetoric.
“Consequences must follow to send a clear signal to Harvard and all universities that want to enjoy the privilege of enrolling foreign students, that the Trump administration will enforce the law and root out the evils of anti-Americanism and antisemitism in society and campuses,” Noem wrote.
Additionally, Harvard was given 72 hours to comply in order to regain its certification.
Instead, the university filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts on Friday.
Judge temporarily shields Harvard’s international program
On Friday, U.S. District Judge Allison D. Burroughs, an Obama appointee, issued a temporary restraining order to stop the government’s decertification efforts.
Harvard quickly filed a lawsuit. They argue the action affects over 7,000 foreign students, about a quarter of the student body.
It also states the government is retaliating against Harvard’s refusal to give up control over its curriculum, governance, and academic freedom.
“It is the latest act by the government in clear retaliation for Harvard exercising its First Amendment rights to reject the government’s demands to control Harvard’s governance, curriculum, and the ‘ideology’ of its faculty and students,” the lawsuit says.