The Scoop: Harvard president calls for support as he pushes back against Trump demands

​​Harvard University has drawn a firm line against President Donald Trump’s sweeping demands, which included federal oversight of hiring, admissions and curriculum to ensure “viewpoint diversity.”

President Alan Garber rejected the proposal, calling many of the demands unconstitutional and an overreach into the school’s intellectual independence.

“Although some of the demands outlined by the government are aimed at combating antisemitism,” Garber wrote, “the majority represent direct governmental regulation of the ‘intellectual conditions’ at Harvard.”

“No government—regardless of which party is in power—should dictate what private universities can teach, whom they can admit and hire, and which areas of study and inquiry they can pursue.”

In response, the Trump administration escalated tensions with Harvard on Tuesday, threatening to revoke its tax-exempt status – a move potentially more damaging than the $2 billion in federal research grants already at risk.

As Harvard becomes a flashpoint in the national debate over higher education’s independence, Garber called for support from peer institutions, such as Stanford, MIT and Princeton, noting that “All of us share a stake in safeguarding that freedom,” Garber said.

Following Harvard’s response, Columbia’s acting president told the Wall Street Journal the school would reject “heavy-handed orchestration from the government.”

Why it matters: Harvard’s response is a case study in how institutions can respond to political pressure without losing control of their narrative – or their values.

By framing the federal demands as a violation of “Harvard’s First Amendment rights and exceeds the statutory limits of the government’s authority,” not just a campus-specific crisis, Garber shifted the conversation from institutional compliance to a broader constitutional concern.

Garber’s statement almost certainly set up a potential legal challenge if the White House moves forward with its threat. But the strong, accessible language also clearly defined the school’s position. By framing it as a call to action for other universities, Harvard sent a message of strength and unity.

He also outlines specific steps the university is taking to combat antisemitism on campus and to adjust admission to comply with federal law, both central points in the Trump administration’s justification for potential punitive actions.

“These ends will not be achieved by assertions of power, unmoored from the law, to control teaching and learning at Harvard and to dictate how we operate,” Garber said. “The work of addressing our shortcomings, fulfilling our commitments, and embodying our values is ours to define and undertake as a community.”

After speaking out, the university gained important backing from respected peer institutions and support from high-profile former alumi like former President Barack Obama. In doing so, it extended its message beyond its own brand and tapped into a broader movement. When the stakes are high, your audience expands beyond internal or national circles – it includes anyone who shares your values.

“We proceed now, as always, with the conviction that the fearless and unfettered pursuit of truth liberates humanity – and with faith in the enduring promise that America’s colleges and universities hold for our country and our world,” Garber said.

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Casey Weldon is a reporter for PR Daily. Follow him on LinkedIn.