Trump vs. Harvard: Key Dates in a Deepening Political and Legal Battle

3 hours ago 3

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The conflict between United States President Donald Trump and Harvard University has been escalating since 2023. It reached its peak on May 22, 2025, when Trump barred foreign students from enrolling at Harvard.

Trump revoked Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program authorization, effectively halting the admission of new international students.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem stated that the administration was “holding Harvard accountable for actions inciting violence, antisemitism, and coordination with the Chinese Communist Party on its campus.” Harvard described the move as “unlawful” and “retaliatory.”

The following is a timeline of the dispute, as reported by Al Jazeera:

October 2023

The tension began in October 2023 during the Israel–Gaza conflict. Pro-Palestinian protests on campuses, including at Harvard, drew sharp criticism. Harvard President Claudine Gay gave a controversial testimony before Congress, which led to her resignation. Alan Garber was appointed as her successor in August 2024.

January 2024

Trump was re-elected President of the United States and took office in January 2023. He signed several executive orders targeting diversity programs and “woke” ideology in universities. The administration also launched a special task force to combat antisemitism.

February 2025

In February 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice formed a task force to investigate the root causes of antisemitic violence in schools and universities.

March 7, 2025

On March 7, the government cut $400 million in funding to Columbia University and issued warnings to other schools, including Harvard. Columbia complied with federal demands by adopting new policies. Harvard, in contrast, refused to meet the administration’s requirements, which included restructuring campus leadership, reforming admissions, and eliminating diversity programs. By late March, tensions rose as the government began scrutinizing Harvard’s contracts and major grants.

April 11, 2025

On April 11, Harvard received an official letter stating it had failed to meet federal standards and must implement various changes. Harvard President Alan Garber responded, saying, “The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.”

Despite this, federal pressure intensified. The government froze funding, threatened Harvard’s tax-exempt status, and demanded data on foreign student activities deemed “illegal and violent.”

April 21, 2025

Harvard filed a lawsuit against the federal government, accusing it of violating the First Amendment. Although Harvard submitted the requested data on April 30, the details were not disclosed.

Early May 2025

In early May, the Trump administration announced it would cut all new federal grants to Harvard. It also threatened to use the False Claims Act to investigate the university’s diversity programs.

May 22, 2025

On May 22, the federal government officially revoked Harvard’s authorization to enroll international students. Harvard responded firmly, stating, “We are fully committed to maintaining Harvard's ability to host our international students and scholars, who hail from more than 140 countries and enrich the University – and this nation – immeasurably.”

Editor's Choice: U.S. Judge Suspends Trump's Ban on Harvard Accepting International Students

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

Besides Harvard, Here Are Other Top Universities in the US

2 jam lalu

Besides Harvard, Here Are Other Top Universities in the US

Apart from Harvard, here is a list of universities known as Ivy League

U.S. Judge Suspends Trump's Ban on Harvard Accepting International Students

1 hari lalu

U.S. Judge Suspends Trump's Ban on Harvard Accepting International Students

A U.S. federal judge blocked President Donald Trump's order to revoke Harvard University's permission to accept or retain foreign students.

U.S. Denies Plans to Pull 4,500 Troops from South Korea

2 hari lalu

U.S. Denies Plans to Pull 4,500 Troops from South Korea

Previous reports suggested that the U.S. was considering withdrawing about 4,500 troops from South Korea.

International Students in 'Panic Mode' After Trump Announces Harvard Ban

2 hari lalu

International Students in 'Panic Mode' After Trump Announces Harvard Ban

One in four Harvard students are from abroad, making Trump's decision have a massive impact on the campus community.

Trump's Escalating Crackdown on Harvard: Chronology Explained

2 hari lalu

Trump's Escalating Crackdown on Harvard: Chronology Explained

Harvard's standoff with the Trump administration has resulted in the ban on admission for international students.

Trump Bans Harvard from Admitting Foreign Students

2 hari lalu

Trump Bans Harvard from Admitting Foreign Students

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's reason for the ban is Harvard's refusal to meet Trump's demands

US Confirms Receipt of Qatari Luxury Jet Intended for Trump

2 hari lalu

US Confirms Receipt of Qatari Luxury Jet Intended for Trump

The U.S. has received a luxury jet from Qatar to be converted into President Donald Trump's Air Force One presidential plane

Trump's Tariff Increases Shake US World Leadership, Says Indonesian Expert

3 hari lalu

Trump's Tariff Increases Shake US World Leadership, Says Indonesian Expert

A UII researcher said Trump's tariff phenomenon is a wake-up call to the world that global stability cannot be placed on one country's shoulders

The De-dollarization Movement: Responding to the Trade War Initiated by the US

3 hari lalu

The De-dollarization Movement: Responding to the Trade War Initiated by the US

A researcher from UII stated that countries around the world are engaging in a movement towards de-dollarization in response to the trade war initiated by the United States

America's 10 Highest-Paying Industries in 2025: Path to Earn Big Salaries

4 hari lalu