Trump vs Universities

[MajorRewrite]

That administration is setting conditions for federal funding. Harvard doesn’t have to accept federal funding.

So you’re fine with the federal government attempting to seize control of a private university. Real conservatives don’t support that.

 

[RobDownSouth]

It’s a stupid question based on a false premise.

Demanding oversight of faculty hires and curriculum offerings, as well as demanding "diversity viewpoints" (aka "alternate facts") would seem to be (to me, anyway) effectively "seizing control" of a private educational institution.

How on earth can you blithely dismiss this as a "false premise"? Your position defies logic.

 

[RobDownSouth]

That administration is setting conditions for federal funding. Harvard doesn’t have to accept federal funding.

Threatening to refuse student visas to foreign students transcends "setting conditions".
This is an outright power grab of America's most honored institution.

Calling the administration's actions "setting conditions" is a grossly misleading statement.

 

[MajorRewrite]

Demanding oversight of faculty hires and curriculum offerings, as well as demanding "diversity viewpoints" (aka "alternate facts") would seem to be (to me, anyway) effectively "seizing control" of a private educational institution.

How on earth can you blithely dismiss this as a "false premise"? Your position defies logic.

This thread and the two threads about Trump’s pardons of convicted criminals are full of MAGA sheep trying to deflect the discussion away from Trump’s actions.

It’s so weird.

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

So you’re fine with the federal government attempting to seize control of a private university. Real conservatives don’t support that.

I’m fine with the administration attaching conditions to federal funding. Harvard is not entitled.

 

[ll74]

The source is the National Center for Science and Engineering citing actual spending at $789 billion in 2021 and projecting $886 billion in 2022. If you have a more recent figure you’re welcome to share it but we both know that it’s close to or more than a trillion in 2023, 24, and 25.

Yep, that was before the current administration who basically retracted the budget.

The majority of that money has been rescinded

 

[ll74]

That administration is setting conditions for federal funding. Harvard doesn’t have to accept federal funding.

They are being paid for their research. The government doesn't have to pay for their research. They could simply not advance in science and let other countries do so instead.


Oh wait.......that is what they are doing.

 

[ChinoMoreno]

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=911375927758767

 

[MajorRewrite]

I’m fine with the administration attaching conditions to federal funding. Harvard is not entitled.

Are you fine with why the administration is attaching conditions (and prohibiting foreign students to enroll and removing the university’s tax exempt status)?

Real conservatives aren’t “fine” with coercion tactics by the government.

 

[MajorRewrite]

Maybe the Trump administration has a point. These losers graduated from Harvard: Pickled Pete Hegseth, RFK Junkie, Stephen Bannon, Jared Kushner, Michael R. Pompeo, Elaine Chao, Anthony Scaramucci and Kayleigh McEnany!

Yikes! It’s a lunatic farm!

 

[dmallord]

Because they are not acting in the national interest and obeying federal law.

The New York Times first reported the GSA’s letter.

“As you know, being a counterparty with the federal government comes with the deep responsibility and commitment to abide by all federal laws and ensure the safeguarding of taxpayer money,” the letter said.

“As fiduciaries to the taxpayer, the government has a duty to ensure that procurement dollars are directed to vendors and contractors who promote and champion principles of nondiscrimination and the national interest.”

Dressed horse manure smells better than that letter. It's a canard. Only meant to appease Trump and beat down a University, perhaps because his son didn't get accepted there, for starters.

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

Are you fine with why the administration is attaching conditions (and prohibiting foreign students to enroll and removing the university’s tax exempt status)?

Real conservatives aren’t “fine” with coercion tactics by the government.

I see you’ve recognized that the conditions don’t constitute “seizure” and have softened your rhetoric by replacing that word with “coercion.” That’s progress.

Where did you hear that the administration was prohibiting foreign students? It’s my understanding from the 4/11 letter and statements I’ve heard from the president that the administration has conditioned financial support on reforming international admissions for the purpose of preventing students hostile to the Constitution and supportive of things like terrorism and antisemitism. That’s a very reasonable condition. I don’t think the president’s threat to remove tax exempt status is a good idea and strongly doubt it would hold up to a legal challenge.

 

[MajorRewrite]

I see you’ve recognized that the conditions don’t constitute “seizure” and have softened your rhetoric by replacing that word with “coercion.” That’s progress.

The Trump administration is using coercion in an attempt to seize control of Harvard’s hiring, admissions and curriculum.

Where did you hear that the administration was prohibiting foreign students?

You haven’t been paying attention: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/05/22...nd-exchange-visitor-program-certification-pro

Today, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem ordered DHS to terminate the Harvard University’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification.

This means Harvard can no longer enroll foreign students and existing foreign students must transfer or lose their legal status.

I don’t think the president’s threat to remove tax exempt status is a good idea and strongly doubt it would hold up to a legal challenge.

So you agree the administration is using illegal methods in its attempt to take control of Harvard. That’s progress.

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

The Trump administration is using coercion in an attempt to seize control of Harvard’s hiring, admissions and curriculum.



You haven’t been paying attention: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/05/22...nd-exchange-visitor-program-certification-pro





So you agree the administration is using illegal methods in its attempt to take control of Harvard. That’s progress.

I missed this news item. Thanks for sharing.

DHS says Harvard is failing to protect students and comply with its requests. It’s therefore using its authority to revoke the college’s SEVP certification. Harvard says it is in compliance and that DHS lacks the authority to revoke its certification.

The matter is in litigation. I oppose granting Visas to foreign students that promote antisemitism and violence, or seek to advance the interests of the CCP. I expect universities to adopt policies that prevent that from happening and to comply with DHS certification requirements. Let the courts sort out the facts of the case and accept the outcome.

 

[DeluxAuto]

I oppose granting Visas to foreign students that promote antisemitism and violence, or seek to advance the interests of the CCP.

Why do you hate freedom and the First?

 

[ll74]

The matter is in litigation. I oppose granting Visas to foreign students that promote antisemitism and violence, or seek to advance the interests of the CCP.

Do you support visas being offered to students in good faith and not being revoked as an emotional response to political positions?

 

[heathrowinneo]

I missed this news item. Thanks for sharing.

DHS says Harvard is failing to protect students and comply with its requests. It’s therefore using its authority to revoke the college’s SEVP certification. Harvard says it is in compliance and that DHS lacks the authority to revoke its certification.

The matter is in litigation. I oppose granting Visas to foreign students that promote antisemitism and violence, or seek to advance the interests of the CCP. I expect universities to adopt policies that prevent that from happening and to comply with DHS certification requirements. Let the courts sort out the facts of the case and accept the outcome.

a statement from DHS, the ministry of truth, should be validated for truth.

 

[Politruk]

DHS says Harvard is failing to protect students

From what?

 

[RobDownSouth]

From what?

"opposing viewpoints".

 

[Rotadom]

Trump just TACOd on his crusade against higher education after yet another judge sides with Harvard.

 

[schism666]

Harvard University President Gets Standing Ovation After Taking Dig at Trump During Graduation Speech


Speakers during the university's commencement ceremony on May 29 defended Harvard's value following relentless attacks by the Trump administration

 

[RobDownSouth]

Harvard University President Gets Standing Ovation After Taking Dig at Trump During Graduation Speech


Speakers during the university's commencement ceremony on May 29 defended Harvard's value following relentless attacks by the Trump administration

The opening remark that got EVERYONE cheering:

"To the class of 2025, from down the street, across the country and around the world," he began, pausing for applause before repeating himself for emphasis. "Around the world, just as it should be."

 

[RobDownSouth]

Maybe the Trump administration has a point. These losers graduated from Harvard: Pickled Pete Hegseth, RFK Junkie, Stephen Bannon, Jared Kushner, Michael R. Pompeo, Elaine Chao, Anthony Scaramucci and Kayleigh McEnany!

Yikes! It’s a lunatic farm!

I'd have bet a significant chunk of change that you were mistaken about Kayleigh McEnany's attending Harvard

....and I would have lost.

She TRANSFERRED into Harvard freakin' Law School for her second and subsequent years of law school?

First of all, I had no idea Harvard Law accepted transfer students from other, lesser institutions.

Secondly, McEnany managed to avoid the crucible that is Harvard's dreaded "1L" first year...the true test that separates the proverbial wheat from the chaff.

She must be extremely intelligent (and "played dumb" as White House press secretary) or be exceptionally politically connected.

Most likely some combination of both, methinks.

 

[Rebel5soul]

Harvard is going to lose.

 

[Baztrachian]

Harvard is going to lose.

Yup. Looks like Trump is going to effectively end foreign student visas via intentional bureaucratic logjams.

This will undercut incomes for the major universities across the board.

Upside is it will also make about 40% more university slots available to American students. That alone is going to be a huge plus for young people as it will open up opportunities they would have otherwise been denied.