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Pototan

(2,862 posts) Thu Sep 4, 2025, 08:13 AM Sep 4

Harvard vs. Trump: Something I don't understand

The Trump Administration says that they are withholding billions in funds and grants due to Harvard's ineffective response to anti-Semitism on campus.

Here's what I don't understand. Isn't the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ responsible for investigating those charges. And if they find a problem, they can fine or sanction the University and demand a plan to correct that issue, they don't cut off funding.

6 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Harvard vs. Trump: Something I don't understand (Original Post) Pototan Sep 4 OP

King Donald enjoys using funding for threats and rewards to make everyone grovel before him. tanyev Sep 4 #1

Krasnov breaks the law on a daily basis. gab13by13 Sep 4 #2

I get that Pototan Sep 4 #3

Harvard law professor Noah Feldman explains (NPR) Heidi Sep 4 #4

What Civil Rights Division? 70% have left underpants Sep 4 #5

Investigations? We don't need no stinking investigations. Redleg Sep 4 #6

tanyev

(47,866 posts)

1. King Donald enjoys using funding for threats and rewards to make everyone grovel before him.

Reply to Pototan (Original post)

Thu Sep 4, 2025, 08:19 AM

Sep 4

It’s that simple.

gab13by13

(29,866 posts)

2. Krasnov breaks the law on a daily basis.

Reply to Pototan (Original post)

Thu Sep 4, 2025, 08:19 AM

Sep 4

The courts move very slowly to rule against him.

Pototan

(2,862 posts)

3. I get that

Reply to gab13by13 (Reply #2)

Thu Sep 4, 2025, 08:21 AM

Sep 4

but I've heard very few commentators say that any anti-Semitism at any college or university should be investigated by the Civil Rights Div of the DOJ.

Heidi

(58,832 posts)

4. Harvard law professor Noah Feldman explains (NPR)

Reply to Pototan (Original post)

Thu Sep 4, 2025, 08:33 AM

Sep 4

… the Trump administration has been pushing very, very hard since they came into office to exploit the perception - in my view, the incorrect perception - that Harvard is some sort of hotbed of bias, antisemitism and Islamophobia in order to bring about a fundamental attack on higher education with the stated goal - this is their stated goal - of making the university align itself with the administration's beliefs and priorities, which is a clear violation of the First Amendment.

https://www.npr.org/2025/06/04/nx-s1-5422325/trumps-billion-dollar-war-on-harvard-explained

underpants

(193,171 posts)

5. What Civil Rights Division? 70% have left

Reply to Pototan (Original post)

Thu Sep 4, 2025, 08:33 AM

Sep 4

https://www.npr.org/2025/05/19/g-s1-66906/trump-civil-rights-justice-exodus

Redleg

(6,624 posts)

6. Investigations? We don't need no stinking investigations.

Reply to Pototan (Original post)

Thu Sep 4, 2025, 10:33 AM

Sep 4

We just throw out the accusations and damn them in the court of Twitter and Truth Social.

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