 "The Donald Trump administration in the US stepped up its clash with Harvard University by stripping the school of its right to admit international students. File image/Reuters")
US President Donald Trump has said that Harvard University has acted “extremely appropriately” during negotiations with his administration, announcing that a deal could soon be achieved.
Trump’s comments came as a federal judge indefinitely blocked his attempt to block Harvard from enrolling foreign students. The order by District Judge Allison Burroughs will allow international students to continue to attend the elite university while a lawsuit filed by Harvard plays out in the courts.
“Many people have been asking what is going on with Harvard University and their largescale improprieties that we have been addressing, looking for a solution. We have been working closely with Harvard, and it is very possible that a Deal will be announced over the next week or so,” Trump said on Truth Social.
He added, “They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right. If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be ‘mindbogglingly’ HISTORIC, and very good for our Country.”
The Trump administration is currently holding talks with a small circle of Harvard’s leadership as the two parties try to reach a deal. However, a source told CNN that the reality of a deal seems more unlikely than what the president has asserted.
In April, Harvard filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its decision to freeze federal funding and requested an expedited ruling in the case. Oral arguments are set to take place on July 21.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsIn court filings, Harvard argued that Trump’s actions were “retribution for Harvard’s exercising its First Amendment rights to reject the government’s demands to control Harvard’s governance, curriculum, and the ‘ideology’ of its faculty and students.”
Harvard has been at the forefront of Trump’s campaign against top universities after it defied his calls to submit to oversight of its curriculum, staffing, student recruitment and “viewpoint diversity.”
With inputs from agencies