Harvard sues Trump over $2.2bn funding freeze
Mr Trump accused the institution of pushing what he called "political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting 'Sickness?'" in a post on Truth Social.
Harvard has seen student-led protests in recent days calling on the institution to resist interference by the federal government.
Harvard's lawsuit, filed in Boston, described the research funding freeze as "arbitrary and capricious" and violating its First Amendment rights.
Or - "Hey plebs, we don't want your standards, just your money."
Oh dear - White House spokesperson Harrison Fields has also raised the spectre of privilege.
On Monday, White House spokesperson Harrison Fields issued a defiant response to the lawsuit: "The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families is coming to an end.
"Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege," he wrote.
7 comments:
I really hope that Harvard loses. It might take a while to wend its way through the legal system (Harvard can afford the best lawyers after all) but the 'justifications' seem contrived.
I've written elsewhere that Trump's real aim is to reverse the Obamafication of America. I wonder if Tony Blair is watching events unfold?
That's a superb response by Fields. It would be great to see something like that in the UK - belligerent verbal push-back which publicises the issue, and thereby allows more people to understand the depth of the rot.
But somehow, I think that in the UK the initial message would be followed by a Supreme Court challenge, an appeal to some European convention that we are signed up to, a strike by the Civil Servants' unions, and a media storm. And then a humiliating climb-down.
DJ - I hope that Harvard loses too. I agree, Trump's aim is to reverse the Obamafication of America, or at least change the culture which still nurtures it. He may achieve that, Harvard could easily attract much more resentment than support.
Sam - yes it would be great to see something like that in the UK. It's difficult to assess, but Starmer, Reeves, the EV shambles, knife crime and so on may have made more people aware of the rot. Perhaps telling it as it is will suddenly become much more popular.
I understand that Harvard has either stopped Trump's son from attending, or is planning on doing so. Even if they don't, his stint there certainly won't be fun.
Penseivat
Penseivat - if he's as robust as his father, he might enjoy it.
Interference by Federal Government! The Government is removing its interference by removing its federal funds. Then they can get on, on their own can't they!
Tammly - good point, although they will never see it like that.
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