Speaker at Harvard graduation criticizes Trump administration's severe government policies.
Fiery Words from Stephen Miller: Harvard's Under Fire for Breaking the Law
White House advisor Stephen Miller is accusing Harvard of criminal conduct, as the Ivy League university faces a heated battle with the Trump administration over federal funding and international student visas. The controversy heated up more during the recent Harvard commencement, with speaker Abraham Verghese taking digs at the President during his address.
Harvard's ongoing struggle with the Trump administration is all about two major issues: federal funding and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for international students. The feud started when the administration slammed Harvard for alleged non-compliance with data requests about international students' disciplinary records, resulting in the revoke of Harvard's SEVP status[1][4][5].
The administration justified the $2.2 billion freeze of Harvard's federal funds on grounds of the university's handling of antisemitism and its resistance to government demands for reforms in governance and curriculum[1][4][5]. Harvard, in turn, responded with legal battles, asserting that these measures violate its First Amendment rights to self-governance and academic freedom[2][4].
White House advisor Stephen Miller criticized Harvard during a recent interview, accusing the university of engaging in "illegal and criminal conduct"[3]. The legal proceedings are looking tense, with Harvard fighting for the restoration of its funding and the continuation of its international student program.
Meanwhile, during Harvard's commencement ceremony, keynote speaker Abraham Verghese addressed the controversial issue, criticizing the administration's "cascade of draconian government measures." Verghese argued that these actions have caused a lot of uncertainty and pain on campus. He also emphasized the importance of immigrants like himself in the United States[3].
Verghese encouraged Harvard to continue pushing back against the administration, applauding the school for setting an example and upholding the nation's core values[3]. The debate surrounding ideological balance on campus was also touched upon, with Harvard President Alan Garber addressing the perception of conservative viewpoints as unwelcome on campus and acknowledging it as a problem to be resolved[3].
This heated controversy is far from over, with a court hearing scheduled in July to address the $2.2 billion funding freeze, and another hearing in the near future to determine whether the temporary restraining order extending Harvard's SEVP certification will remain in place[1][5]. The future of Harvard, its international students, and the role of academic freedom in the United States may depend on these upcoming court decisions.
Sources
- Bloomberg
- USA Today
- CBS News
- The Harvard Crimson
- NPR
- The heated controversy between Harvard and the Trump administration revolves around politics, specifically the federal funding and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for international students.
- Stephen Miller, a White House advisor, has accused Harvard of engaging in "illegal and criminal conduct," adding another layer to the ongoing legal battles around policy and legislation.
- General news sources, such as Bloomberg, CBS News, The Harvard Crimson, USA Today, and NPR, are covering this contentious issue as it unfolds, with a court hearing scheduled in July.
- This unfolding court drama bears significant implications for personal growth, education and self-development, and war and conflicts, as the future of Harvard, its international students, and academic freedom in the United States hangs in the balance.
