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Live updates: Readers react to Trump’s ongoing battle with Mass. colleges

Free speech, antisemitism, and federal funding are at the center of a growing standoff between the Trump administration and Massachusetts colleges.

Harvard is facing a government review of $9 billion in federal grants and contracts. Sophie Park/The New York Times

By Emily Turner and Annie Jonas

5 minutes to read

On Monday, the Education Department announced Harvard would receive no new federal grants unless it meets a list of demands from the Trump administration.

The ultimatum is the latest in an ongoing clash between the Trump administration and the Ivy League university over federal funding and academic oversight. Last month, the Trump administration said it would freeze $2.2 billion in federal research grants to the university after it refused to comply with a set of demands to limit activism on campus. 

Harvard later filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on April 21, arguing the funding freeze was “arbitrary and capricious” and the government’s actions “flout” the First Amendment.

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Use the links below to find the latest reactions.

Readers react to the Trump administration’s ongoing battle with Mass. colleges

Follow below for updates to the ongoing reader reactions to the Trump administration’s ongoing battle with Harvard and other Mass. colleges. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

Is the Trump administration restoring or threatening free speech?

Is the Trump administration restoring or threatening free speech?
I agree with Trump — he's restoring free speech.
24%
69
I agree with Harvard — Trump is threatening free speech.
75%
219
Neither.
1%
4

I agree with Harvard — Trump is threatening free speech.

“In my view, the current administration is suppressing and menacing any views that are not in close agreement with their own. There is apparently no tolerance for debate or discourse between theirs and any opposing view on any topic.” – Greg, Littleton

“Trump is using anti-semitism as his vehicle to curb the free expressions of opinion so important in college. He does not care about anti-semitism. After this episode he will come after colleges about other issues; such as the activities of his administration. This is just the beginning.” – Robert G., East Walpole

“Trump is unlawfully trying to change the culture at Harvard under the guise of antisemitism. It won’t happen.” – Ray P., Littleton

“The government has no role in setting university curriculum or policy, and research grants have no relationship to them. This is another front in the fight to reshape all parts of American life as ‘loyal’ to the whims of an aspiring authoritarian. Mr. Trump sees money as his cudgel to dictate to America, this hemisphere, and the world. We still have a Constitution, for now, and if Congress won’t stand up for it, others must.” – Brian, Westminster

“The very nature of a university requires that all points of view be heard and openly discussed. Mr. Trump wants to put some ideas under quarantine and punish any who even support their right to be heard let alone support the ideas themselves. This is a very dangerous infringement on free speech and a catastrophic diminishment of a university’s mission.” – R.L.D., Concord, New Hampshire

“[Harvard] is a private institution and using government funds as leverage to restrict what they can and cannot teach is a clear violation of the First Amendment.” – Michael F., Cambridge

I agree with Trump — he’s restoring free speech.

“Universities need to protect all students, not just the ones that align with the preferred views of the world.  If a university is not protecting and allowing discrimination against a group, then it should receive no federal funding until it rectifies the discrimination.” – Johnnie, Watertown

“Harvard is not a person, so it has no rights. Individuals at Harvard are free to say whatever they want. As they are learning, there are consequences to saying whatever one wants. Neither Harvard, nor any of the individuals, have a right to federal funding.” – Sean, Oxford

“Harvard has the right to say whatever they want. But the government does not have to give Harvard a dime of federal money. So, this is not a ‘free speech’ issue. It is the government stopping the free money train. Besides, Harvard has an endowment with lots of money. Let them spend their own money to fund these initiatives.” – Brian, South Shore

Do you agree with Harvard’s decision not to comply with the Trump administration’s demands?

Do you agree with Harvard's decision not to comply with the Trump administration's demands?
Yes, good for them
80%
1273
No, they should get in line
18%
285
Other
2%
34

Yes, good for them

“Universities are a space where people grow, change, learn, and develop into adults. Students need to be exposed to things that they’re not used to. Government has no business on campuses. Good on ya, Harvard!” – KMO, Boston

“Every American, whether they know it or not, has been positively affected by the grants the federal government has awarded to Harvard. Cutting funding, the majority of which is used for medical research will have grave consequences for the health of America.” – Danielle, Boston

“The attack on education in general and any view points that differ from the current administration is a dangerous path for the country. Happy to see someone take a stand before it is too late.” – Alex, Abington

No, they should get in line

“Harvard should not be getting ANY taxpayer money, and certainly no money to support woke ideology. The majority of the U.S. no longer gives credence to what the so-called elites who work at liberal institutions think.” – Joe A., North End

“The pendulum has swung too far to the left and Harvard is choosing ideology over education. There should be no place in this society for antisemitism.” – Robert P., Franklin

“Harvard has gone too far and needs to be reeled in. Get in line Harvard or be prepared to become a shell of what Harvard used to be.” – Jonny, Cohasset

Other

At least have a discussion with the administration first.

“Universities should be free to run their affairs in ways they see fit — on their own dime, and not on the dime of the American taxpayer. In reality, all federal funding for universities should be reviewed and trimmed where necessary, their social policies notwithstanding.

For a university with an endowment of $58B, or any university, for that matter, to be begging the taxpayers for more handouts without having to go through intense justification and scrutiny is wrong. It is about time the federal government thinks critically about every nickel it hands out to everyone, whether a university, a non-profit, or even a church (through each church’s tax-exempt status). It is our money and not theirs, and WE, the people, demand accountability for how our hard-earned dollars are spent.” – Ed T., Worcester

If you want taxpayer money, there are strings attached.

“Harvard, like many other colleges and universities, has created a hostile environment on their campus while preaching acceptance, and while that is within their rights to do, they should not receive taxpayer money in order to carry out their own private agenda.” – Michelle, Peabody

The government’s position makes sense and it’s what Harvard should have been doing all along.

“All the government is proposing is that Harvard adopt reasonable, sensible governance. Not to mention perfectly reasonable standards for student conduct. Ever since 1968, when Harvard abdicated its responsibility to maintain decent standards of conduct, the University also allowed its faculty to become intellectually monolithic. Not appropriate for such an esteemed institution of higher education, regardless of one’s politics.” – Gerald B., North Andover

Harvard faculty, Democrats praise school for rejecting Trump’s ‘dangerous’ demands

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