Opinion | Lawrence Summers: Harvard Must Not Yield to Trump
Briefly

The article discusses the U.S. government's aggressive efforts to influence elite universities through threats of funding withdrawal, characterizing such actions as akin to extortion. It emphasizes the need for universities to resist capitulation, as seen in Columbia's recent changes to avoid losing significant funding. While acknowledging legitimate criticisms regarding issues like antisemitism and diversity, the article argues that the Trump administration's approach is disingenuous and politically motivated, using accusations of antisemitism as leverage against institutions that shape American society.
The U.S. government is attempting to pressure elite universities, threatening funding cuts unless they comply with certain demands, highlighting the conflict between educational autonomy and political influence.
Columbia's recent capitulation to government pressure by agreeing to changes for funding highlights a concerning trend where each concession increases the likelihood of further yielding.
Critics rightly point out the toleration of antisemitism in elite universities, but the Trump administration's tactics in addressing this issue are far from genuine.
The Trump administration's attack on universities appears politically motivated, using concerns over antisemitism as a pretext for broader control over academia.
Read at www.nytimes.com
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