Jauhn Etienne Villaruel

US President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he boards Air Force One before departing Miami International Airport, in Miami, Florida on April 3, 2025. Trump is travelling to his Mar-a-Lago Resort. Mandel Ngan, AFP/file

Article (news)

MAGA

Agence France-Presse

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1745318330835Screen Shot 2025-04-22 at 6.38.24 PM.png" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="US President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he boards Air Force One before departing Miami International Airport, in Miami, Florida on April 3, 2025. Trump is travelling to his Mar-a-Lago Resort. Mandel Ngan, AFP/file"/><span class="fr-inner">US President Donald Trump pumps his fist as he boards Air Force One before departing Miami International Airport, in Miami, Florida on April 3, 2025. Trump is travelling to his Mar-a-Lago Resort. Mandel Ngan, AFP/file</span></span></span></div><p style="text-align:left">WASHINGTON, United States — More than 100 US universities and colleges, including Ivy League institutions Princeton and Brown, issued a joint letter on Tuesday condemning President Donald Trump&#x27;s &quot;political interference&quot; in the education system.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/4/21/harvard-sues-trump-over-us-federal-funding-cuts-0728">Harvard sues Trump over US federal funding cuts</a></div><p>The move comes a day after Harvard University sued the Trump administration, which has threatened to cut funding and impose outside political supervision.</p><p>&quot;We speak with one voice against the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education,&quot; the letter read.</p><p>&quot;We are open to constructive reform and do not oppose legitimate government oversight. However, we must oppose undue government intrusion,&quot; it said, adding: &quot;We must reject the coercive use of public research funding.&quot;</p><p>Trump has sought to bring several prestigious universities to heel over claims they tolerated campus anti-Semitism, threatening their budgets, tax-exempt status and the enrollment of foreign students.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/4/22/in-100-days-trump-shatters-us-global-role-1002">In 100 days, Trump shatters US global role</a></div><p>The letter said the universities and colleges were committed to serving as centers where &quot;faculty, students, and staff are free to exchange ideas and opinions across a full range of viewpoints without fear of retribution, censorship, or deportation.&quot;</p><p>Trump&#x27;s war against universities has seen him threaten to cut federal funding over policies meant to encourage diversity among students and staff.</p><p>The Republican president has also pursued a wide-ranging immigration crackdown that has expanded to foreign students, revoking their visas, often for little or no reason.</p><p>The White House has publicly justified its campaign against universities as a reaction to uncontrolled &quot;anti-Semitism&quot; and the desire to reverse diversity programs aimed at addressing historical oppression of minorities.</p><p>The administration claims protests against Israel&#x27;s war in Gaza that swept across US college campuses last year were rife with anti-Semitism.</p><div><strong>HARVARD LAWSUIT</strong></div><p>Many US universities, including Harvard, cracked down on the protests over the allegations at the time.</p><p>Several top institutions, including Columbia University, have also bowed to demands from the Trump administration, which claims that the educational elite is too left-wing.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/4/18/trump-says-harvard-is-abusing-its-tax-exempt-status-0822">Trump says Harvard is abusing its tax-exempt status</a></div><p>In the case of Harvard, the White House is seeking unprecedented levels of government control over admissions and hiring practices at the country&#x27;s oldest and wealthiest university.</p><p>But Harvard rejected the government&#x27;s demands, prompting the Trump administration last week to order the freezing of $2.2 billion in federal funding to the institution.</p><p>In its lawsuit, Harvard calls for the freezing of funds and conditions imposed on federal grants to be declared unlawful, as well as for the Trump administration to pay the institution&#x27;s costs.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/world/2025/4/5/-this-is-an-economic-revolution-trump-defiant-on-tariffs-while-markets-collapse-2300">&#x27;This is an economic revolution&#x27;: Trump defiant on tariffs while markets collapse</a></div><p>The Department of Homeland Security has also threatened Harvard&#x27;s ability to enroll international students unless it turns over records on visa holders&#x27; &quot;illegal and violent activities.&quot;</p><p>International students made up 27.2 percent of Harvard&#x27;s enrollment this academic year, according to its website.</p><div><strong>© Agence France-Presse</strong></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fgiLy0L2CgA?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>More than 100 US universities and colleges including Ivy League institutions ssued a joint letter condemning President Donald Trump's "political interference" in the education system.</p>

More than 100 US universities and colleges including Ivy League institutions ssued a joint letter condemning President Donald Trump's "political interference" in the education system.

US universities issue letter condemning Trump's 'political interference'

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US universities issue letter condemning Trump's 'political interference'

Agence France-Presse

Published Apr 22, 2025 06:48 PM PHT

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