As Harvard notches a legal win over White House, Trump says ‘HISTORIC' deal is close
Trump's post did not elaborate on the claimed negotiations, of which there has been no public acknowledgment by either side since Harvard in April rejected White House demands to overhaul its governance, amend its admissions and hiring practices, and change its disciplinary procedures — all in response to what the Trump administration alleges is a longstanding culture of antisemitism, racial discrimination, and political bias at the school. Harvard has vowed to fight back and has sued the administration both for
But, Trump
said, an agreement ending all that could be near.
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'They have acted extremely appropriately during these negotiations, and appear to be committed to doing what is right,' Trump said on Truth Social. 'If a Settlement is made on the basis that is currently being discussed, it will be 'mindbogglingly' HISTORIC, and very good for our Country.'
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Spokespeople for the White House, the Department of Education, and Harvard did not respond to requests for comment on Friday afternoon regarding Trump's post.
The John Harvard statue in Harvard Yard.
Heather Diehl for the Boston Globe
While it was not clear if the two developments are related, the post came shortly after Harvard notched a legal win in the international students lawsuit: an order from US District Judge Allison Burroughs allowing Harvard to host foreign students until its lawsuit against the administration is decided, giving the students a green light to return this fall, at least for now.
'The Court order allows Harvard to continue enrolling international students and scholars while the case moves forward,' Harvard spokesperson Sarah Kennedy O'Reilly said in a statement. 'Harvard will continue to defend its rights — and the rights of its students and scholars.'
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security did not respond to a request for comment on Friday afternoon.
Harvard sued the Trump administration in May, after Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced that the university had lost the right to enroll students and that existing international students would have to leave or transfer. She
The university, meanwhile, argued the move was unlawful, and Trump was using his position to pursue
Friday's court order prevents the Trump administration from making any effort to block Harvard from hosting international students. Burroughs also ordered the administration to prepare guidance for federal staff to restore visa holders and applicants to their positions prior to its May announcement.
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The injunction follows
In a
Banning international students would have a significant impact on Harvard's student body, which includes nearly 7,000 foreign students, roughly a quarter of its total student population. The move would disproportionately impact schools such as the Harvard Kennedy School of Government, where international students account for
Harvard Kennedy School of Government is one part of the university that would be especially hard-hit by a ban on foreign students.
Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
The Trump administration is likely to appeal the order next week, said David Super, a Georgetown University law professor who focuses on constitutional and administrative law.
'We will likely have some indication from, certainly the First Circuit, but most likely the Supreme Court, as to how they feel about this case,' Super said. 'That may well make the outcome of a trial more or less a foregone conclusion.'
And, indeed, given the uncertainty and heightened scrutiny around student visas generally, some students may simply decide to pursue their studies elsewhere, denting Harvard's international population even if the school prevails in court.
Current and incoming Harvard students Friday said they were pleased by the news, even if they are still concerned about the future.
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'I feel anxious, but I stay hopeful,'
Enos said he has been planning to pursue a master's degree in education leadership at Harvard and is scheduled to fly to Boston from Nairobi early next month.
'Policies change fast, and that's unsettling,' he said. 'My future and sense of belonging are on the line. Still, I am grateful for Harvard's support. I know I matter here. I focus on my studies and keep moving forward. I believe international students like me make Harvard stronger.'
Karl Molden, a rising Harvard junior from Austria, was in Athens, Greece, for a summer internship when he learned about the order.
'It's been like a roller coaster for feelings and emotions, and in this case more like an up,' said Molden, 21, who's studying government and classics. 'But I think it's also going to go down again. We're not going to celebrate too much because it's just temporary.'
Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
JOHNNY MILANO/NYT
Aside from Trump's Truth Social post Friday afternoon, there has been little outward sign that Harvard and his administration are anywhere near resolving their conflict.
Earlier this week, in an
McMahon said she 'had a good sit down with the chancellor [of Vanderbilt University],' adding that she feels 'good about a lot of the steps that they have taken.' She added that she has met with presidents from MIT, Dartmouth, and Northwestern.
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'I think universities are taking a look at their own practices and looking at things like right to assemble, and where and when,' McMahon said.
By contrast, she said, 'Harvard is the only one that has not only threatened, but did file a lawsuit.' (In April, MIT joined other universities in a
Previously,
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