Jessica Mendoza

Harvard received that list in early April. It included the request to review programs that, quote, fuel anti-Semitic harassment. But it also took on university culture more broadly. Like, the task force wanted Harvard to end diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, or DEI, or else lose federal funding. But the task force didn't specify what Harvard needed to do to actually meet those requests.

So Harvard asked for more direction. And on April 11th, the university got a letter back.

So Harvard asked for more direction. And on April 11th, the university got a letter back.

So Harvard asked for more direction. And on April 11th, the university got a letter back.

And why were these demands such a non-starter for Harvard?

And why were these demands such a non-starter for Harvard?

And why were these demands such a non-starter for Harvard?

From the university perspective, that unique academic freedom is crucial to creative and innovative output.

From the university perspective, that unique academic freedom is crucial to creative and innovative output.

From the university perspective, that unique academic freedom is crucial to creative and innovative output.

So Harvard and other universities are feeling like if you start to tell us what to do, that innovation is going to die because we are the ones who know what the work looks like. We're the ones who know where that money should go.

So Harvard and other universities are feeling like if you start to tell us what to do, that innovation is going to die because we are the ones who know what the work looks like. We're the ones who know where that money should go.

So Harvard and other universities are feeling like if you start to tell us what to do, that innovation is going to die because we are the ones who know what the work looks like. We're the ones who know where that money should go.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said that because the funds come from the federal government, quote, we want to make sure that you're abiding by federal law. She added that the administration is not trying to take away academic freedom. And then Harvard made an unexpected move.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said that because the funds come from the federal government, quote, we want to make sure that you're abiding by federal law. She added that the administration is not trying to take away academic freedom. And then Harvard made an unexpected move.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said that because the funds come from the federal government, quote, we want to make sure that you're abiding by federal law. She added that the administration is not trying to take away academic freedom. And then Harvard made an unexpected move.

On April 14th, the president of Harvard, Alan Garber, published the Trump administration's letter to the school's website. In a message, Garber wrote that the university would not accept the administration's demands. Trump's anti-Semitism task force was furious. Its members said that they made clear that they wanted to keep the discussions with the university private.

On April 14th, the president of Harvard, Alan Garber, published the Trump administration's letter to the school's website. In a message, Garber wrote that the university would not accept the administration's demands. Trump's anti-Semitism task force was furious. Its members said that they made clear that they wanted to keep the discussions with the university private.

On April 14th, the president of Harvard, Alan Garber, published the Trump administration's letter to the school's website. In a message, Garber wrote that the university would not accept the administration's demands. Trump's anti-Semitism task force was furious. Its members said that they made clear that they wanted to keep the discussions with the university private.

Harvard disputes that there was any agreement about confidentiality. The task force reacted quickly.