Trump admin comes for Harvard’s accreditation, issues subpoenas

The Trump administration escalated its feud with Harvard University on Wednesday, taking aim at the accreditation of the nation’s oldest university.

The Departments of Education and of Health and Human Services issued a letter to the New England Commission of Higher Education on Wednesday, saying the school may no longer meet their standards.

In a statement about the move, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Harvard had “failed in its obligation to students, educators, and American taxpayers” by “allowing antisemitic harassment and discrimination to persist unchecked.” The Trump administration has consistently leveled charges of antisemitism against universities and other institutions it hopes to bring to heel. Harvard would be ineligible for federal student aid if it lost its accreditation.

“Accrediting bodies play a significant role in preserving academic integrity and a campus culture conducive to truth-seeking and learning. Part of that is ensuring students are safe on campus and abiding federal laws that guarantee educational opportunities to all students,” McMahon said in a statement.

Also on Wednesday, the Department of Homeland Security issued administrative subpoenas to Harvard, which would require the university to deliver records, communications and other documents related to the enforcement of immigration laws as far back as January 1, 2020. In May, DHS revoked Harvard’s right to enroll international students, but a judge blocked the order.

“We tried to do things the easy way with Harvard. Now, through their refusal to cooperate, we have to do things the hard way,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “Harvard, like other universities, has allowed foreign students to abuse their visa privileges and advocate for violence and terrorism on campus. If Harvard won’t defend the interests of its students, then we will.”

The Trump administration and Harvard have been at odds since this spring. In April, the administration issued a letter to the university detailing provisions the university must comply with or risk losing federal funding. Harvard  rejected the administration’s demands. In turn, the administration announced more than $2.2 billion in cuts to grants. Harvard responded by filing a lawsuit, alleging the funding freeze violated the institution’s constitutional rights.