Trump and Harvard: What to know

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Welcome to The Logoff: The Trump administration opened a brand new entrance in its struggle towards Harvard this week, trying to dam all worldwide college students from attending the college — and swiftly getting slapped down by a federal choose.

What did the Trump administration do? On Thursday, the Division of Homeland Safety revoked Harvard’s skill to enroll worldwide college students, alleging that the college is “perpetuating an unsafe campus setting” and “employs racist ‘variety, fairness, and inclusion’ insurance policies.” The transfer put Harvard’s almost 7,000 worldwide college students prone to shedding their visas.

What’s the most recent? Harvard swiftly sued the administration, and a federal choose this morning issued a brief restraining order, which suggests the college will probably be allowed to proceed admitting international college students, who make up more than a quarter of its student body .

What else has the administration accomplished to assault Harvard? Trump has tried to grab management of Harvard’s curriculum and admissions coverage, and slashed almost $4 billion in federal grants; the New York Times has tracked a minimum of eight separate investigations by six federal businesses concentrating on the varsity, and Trump has floated revoking the university’s tax-exempt status .

Why is the Trump administration going after Harvard? The Trump administration has accused Harvard and different elite universities of perpetuating antisemitism on campus, however its assaults have shortly grown in scope . As my colleague Andrew Prokop has reported , Trump’s particular focus on universities is a part of a broader ideological marketing campaign to interrupt what the appropriate perceives as liberal establishments. However Harvard has pushed again — along with Friday’s lawsuit, it sued the administration final month over funding cuts.

What’s subsequent? Harvard’s worldwide college students are protected for now, and its lawsuits towards the Trump administration will work their manner by the courtroom system. However Trump’s newest salvo is a reminder that the administration’s efforts to go after its perceived enemies present little signal of abating.

And with that, it’s time to log out…

College of Maryland graduates attended their “Kermencement” ceremony on Thursday — like a traditional commencement, however with Kermit the Frog because the graduation speaker (his creator, Jim Henson, was a UMD graduate). Kermit urged students to remain linked to their buddies and family members, and to their goals, “irrespective of how huge” — good recommendation for us all. Thanks for studying, have a fantastic lengthy weekend, and we’ll see you again right here on Tuesday!