Newsom demands Harvard president step down over Trump administration settlement

Hold onto your mortarboards, folks — California Gov. Gavin Newsom just threw a political grenade at Harvard President Alan Garber, demanding his resignation over a reported $500 million deal with the Trump administration, as the Washington Examiner reports.

In a clash of titans between state power and Ivy League prestige, Newsom accused Garber of capitulating to the White House to have federal funding restored, a move sparked by Harvard’s alleged mishandling of antisemitism on campus.

This saga began months ago when tensions flared between Harvard and the Trump administration over claims the university failed to protect Jewish students from hate and violence, particularly during pro-Palestinian protests last year.

Harvard faces federal funding fallout

The White House didn’t mince words or dollars, slashing over $2 billion in federal funding to Harvard, a cut that hit the university’s ability to enroll foreign students who comprise about a third of its student body.

The administration went further, challenging Harvard’s accredited status and finding it in what they called a severe breach of federal civil rights laws meant to safeguard Jewish students.

Initially, Garber pushed back against the government’s demands for reforms, but the financial sting apparently brought him to the negotiating table with a deal that’s now raising eyebrows.

Newsom slams Garber’s choice

“Looks like Harvard has chosen to surrender,” Newsom declared, jabbing at what he sees as a spineless retreat before the Trump administration’s pressure.

Well, isn’t that a bold claim from a governor whose own state has schools like UCLA chasing a $1 billion settlement with the same White House over similar antisemitism concerns? Actions have consequences, but so does hypocrisy.

Newsom didn’t stop there, insisting, “Alan Garber must resign,” calling his leadership an utter failure that could ripple through higher education nationwide.

Settlement sparks conservative critique

Under the proposed agreement, as reported by major outlets like the New York Times and Bloomberg, Harvard would shell out $500 million for vocational programs and research while pledging stronger efforts to combat antisemitism on campus.

While protecting students from bias and violence is non-negotiable, one has to wonder if this hefty price tag is less about principle and more about buying back federal favor. It’s a tough pill to swallow for those of us who value institutional backbone over political expediency.

Newsom, overseeing a state with its own academic battles, vowed California would “never bend the knee” to the White House, a stance that sounds noble but feels a tad theatrical given the parallel negotiations at UCLA.

Garber’s apology, policy pivot unfold

Back in April, Garber issued a public apology after an internal probe revealed Jewish students faced persistent hate and bias at Harvard, a sobering admission from an institution often seen as untouchable.

Yet, for all the contrition, the shift to negotiation with the Trump administration suggests a pragmatic — if not opportunistic — turn, especially after months of defiance against federal demands.

Conservatives might cheer the administration’s hard line on campus safety, but there’s a lingering question: Should universities be strong-armed into compliance, or should they stand firm on their own reforms? It’s a tightrope walk between accountability and overreach, and Harvard’s stumble has everyone watching.