Trump scores big win in war with Harvard

Harvard University has agreed to comply with the Trump administration’s request to hand over thousands of employment verification forms amidst a months-long standoff over campus policies, diversity programs and foreign student oversight. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that the administration was having “to do things the hard way” because Harvard “allowed foreign students to abuse their visa privileges and advocate for violence and terrorism on campus,” Knewz.com has learned.

Homeland Security requests I-9 employment records

In an email sent to current and former employees, Harvard University said it had received a notice of inspection and subpoena from the Department of Homeland Security to review I-9 forms and supporting documentation for its roughly 19,000 employees. These forms, required under federal law, verify a worker’s identity and authorization to work in the U.S. Harvard stated that it will not immediately release I-9 records for student employees working in positions open only to students, citing concerns about whether disclosure is permitted. “We are evaluating the government’s position on whether the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits disclosure of those records,” the university said. According to reports, the request falls under federal regulations that give Homeland Security the authority to inspect these records. Harvard has asked the department to confirm that the documents will be kept secure, accessed only by authorized personnel, and used solely for legally authorized purposes. According to the university’s website, Harvard employs about 19,000 people.

Conflict between the Trump administration and Harvard

The dispute is part of a broader conflict between the Trump administration and Harvard, fueled by disagreements over campus activism, pro-Palestinian demonstrations and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. The White House has accused Harvard and other universities of tolerating antisemitism. Federal actions against Harvard have included cutting more than $2.6 billion in research grants, ending federal contracts and threatening to revoke the school’s tax-exempt status. Harvard has responded with lawsuits challenging both the funding cuts and efforts to restrict its ability to host international students.

Trump criticizes Harvard throughout legal battle

In a recent Truth Social post, President Donald Trump lashed out at a federal judge overseeing Harvard’s lawsuit over the funding cuts, writing, “Harvard has $52 Billion Dollars sitting in the Bank, and yet they are anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, and anti-America. Much of this money comes from the U.S.A., all to the detriment of other Schools, Colleges, and Institutions, and we are not going to allow this unfair situation to happen any longer. How did this Trump-hating Judge get these cases? When she rules against us, we will IMMEDIATELY appeal, and WIN.”

Harvard and the Trump administration are nearing a settlement

It has been reported that Harvard University and the Trump administration are nearing a settlement that could end a months-long standoff over federal research funding. According to people familiar with the matter, the proposed agreement would commit Harvard to invest $500 million in vocational programs, education and research in exchange for the restoration of billions in federal grants and the termination of ongoing federal investigations. Under the draft framework, Harvard would avoid paying the federal government directly while meeting President Trump’s demand for a financial commitment that exceeds Columbia University’s $250 million settlement. Harvard would also continue initiatives to address antisemitism on campus. In return, the administration would lift freezes on research grants, end multiple Justice and Commerce Department investigations and halt efforts to limit enrollment for thousands of international students. The arrangement would also prevent the appointment of a federal monitor, a move Harvard views as critical to maintaining its academic independence.

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